AN EIGHT year old girl died almost instantly after a horrific road traffic accident while on holiday in West Cork
BY LOUISE ROSEINGRAVE
AN EIGHT year old girl died almost instantly after a horrific road traffic accident while on holiday in West Cork.
Zoe Scannell, from Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick died from her injuries after the accident, which took place at a notoriously dangerous stretch of the N71 at Burgatia, on the east side of Rosscarbery on June 26 last summer.
An inquest into Zoe’s death was opened and adjourned at Bandon courthouse earlier this week by coroner Frank O’Connell.
The inquest heard that paramedics worked to save Zoe near the crash scene, next to the N71.
Paramedics continued desperately to try to save her life in an ambulance but she was later pronounced dead by Dr Stephen Cusack. Zoe’s mother, Alisha, was critically injured in the crash. She was airlifted to Cork University Hospital by air ambulance.
Assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said ‘death would have been absolutely almost instant’.
Condolences were offered to Zoe’s parents, Eddie and Alisha, who travelled to Bandon for the inquest, which was held earlier this week.
The coroner adjourned the inquest as Gardai are preparing a file in relation to the case for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr O’Connell adjourned the inquest until November 24th, as he said: ‘It is not known yet if there will be a trial.’
At her funeral in Abbeyfeale last July, Zoe was described as ‘a special, lively engaging, child’, who had ‘brought life and light’ to her family.
Chief celebrant, Fr Joe Foley CC, described her as life as ‘brief, but beautiful.’
Zoe’s was an only child to her mum Alisha, who spent 12 days recovering in Cork University Hospital following the crash. The family had been on a summer holiday in West Cork at the time.
Locals and politicians have been campaigning for upgrade works to be carried out on the dangerous stretch of roadway between Rosscarbery and Clonakilty.
It was revealed this week that the design of the Owenahincha to Newmills realignment scheme has begun and that it is hoped it will be funded later this year.
