Devastation in South Mayo after 13-year-old dies following tractor accident 

Oisín McGovern 

South Mayo has been left reeling after a 13-year-old boy died when a tractor he was driving overturned on Saturday evening.

 
Shortly after 8.15pm Gardaí and emergency services were alerted after the vehicle overturned and struck a tree on a local road (L1610) at Scarduane near Claremorris. 

The driver and sole occupant of the tractor, a 13-year-old boy, was treated at the scene for serious injuries and removed to Galway University Hospital, according to Gardaí. 

The boy was subsequently transferred to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin, where he died on Sunday. 

No other vehicle was involved in the collision.  

A technical examination of the scene was conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and the road at the crash site has since fully reopened to traffic. 

Local county councillor Tom Connolly described the incident as ‘a tragedy’. 

“I want to extend my sincere sympathies to the family, neighbours and friends,” Cllr Connolly told The Mayo News.

 
“It’s sad. It’s an awful cloud over the area.” 

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them. 

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda Station on (094) 937 2080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.