ROAD TRAGEDY
OAP killed in Mayo quad bike crash after becoming trapped under vehicle was American visiting family on nostalgic trip
The OAP may have suffered a medical emergency before the smash
AN 87-year-old man who died in a horror quad bike crash in Mayo over the weekend was an American tourist on a nostalgic trip to Ireland.
Michael Gallagher lost his life after the single-vehicle road traffic crash occurred on the approach road to Purteen Harbour, off the R319 near Keel, on Achill Island.
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He had been visiting friends and family in the Achill area at the time of the tragedy on Sunday.
It has been reported that the man may have suffered a medical incident while riding the quad bike and lost control of the vehicle.
It is understood he became trapped after the vehicle overturned and left the road.
Gardai and emergency services were called to the incident after the alarm was raised at 1:45pm but Michael was sadly pronounced dead at the scene of the incident.
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Coastguard and fire personnel also responded immediately to the incident but their efforts were unsuccessful.
The body was removed to Mayo University Hospital where a post-mortem took place today.
No other injuries were reported following the collision.
The road was closed for technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigations and local diversions were put in place from some time.
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Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
Heartbroken parents warn bout quad bikes after tragic accident
A spokesperson said: "Gardai are investigating a fatal single-vehicle road traffic collision involving a quad bike, that occurred today, Sunday 30th June 2024, at approximately 1.45pm.
"The collision occurred on the road to Purteen Harbour, off the R319 near Keel, Achill Island, Co Mayo.
"Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
"Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the vicinity of Keel, Achill Island, Co. Mayo, this afternoon, Sunday 30th June 2024, between 1pm and 2pm, are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Westport Garda Station on 098 502 30, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."
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The tragedy comes less than a week after a 14-year-old boy, who was involved in a separate quad bike crash last week, died in hospital from injuries he sustained in the smash.
Tragic Isaac Roxborough was riding the quad bike on the Ballygudden Road in Eglington, Co Derry shortly before 11:30am on Tuesday morning when the incident took place.
He was rushed to hospital with "life-threatening injuries" after the red Honda quad smash.
The quad bike was the only vehicle involved in the fatal crash.
Isaac will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his parents Mark and Katrina and brothers Adam and James.
He was from Burnfoot in Dungiven, which is around 20 minutes drive from where the crash took place.
There have been 93 road deaths in Ireland, not including Northern Ireland, so far this year, compared to a total of 85 road deaths during the same period last year.