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Kerry community 'devastated' after teen driver killed in road crash, passenger seriously injured

Kerry community 'devastated' after teen driver killed in road crash, passenger seriously injured
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Updated: 3pm

A teenage driver has died and a passenger has been seriously injured in a road crash in Killarney, Co Kerry.

Gardaí are investigating the single-vehicle collision which took place on the Ross Road at approximately 1.10am on Wednesday morning.

It is understood the driver, a teenage boy aged 14, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Irish Times reports the teenager is the youngest of four children from a well-known family from the Gap of Dunloe area who are relatives of the Healy-Raes.

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The passenger, another teenage boy, was taken to Kerry University Hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries.

It is understood the driver may have lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree.

Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae, a relative of the deceased, told the Irish Examiner: "I am devastated for the lad and his poor family."

"He was a lovely boy and he comes from a lovely family. I know his parents very well and the lad's grandparents," he added.

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The scene remained closed on Wednesday morning to allow for a technical examination.

Gardaí said the vehicle was subject to interaction with officers prior to the collision, and the matter has been referred to Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc).

It was the second fatal crash on Kerry roads overnight.

At about 8pm on Tuesday, gardaí and emergency services attended a collision at Listry Bridge involving a motorcycle and a car.

The motorcyclist, a man in his 30s, was removed from the scene by ambulance to University Hospital Kerry where he later died.

Roads remain closed, and traffic diversions are in place.

Gardaí in Killarney are appealing for witnesses to both incidents.

As off today there has been 59 Deaths on our roads in 2021 which is 13 less than this time last year.

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