Olivia Kelleher
Tributes have been paid to a young regulatory affairs assistant analyst from Wexford who died in a three-vehicle collision as she made her way to work in Cork on Tuesday morning.
Kate Wibbe (23) from St Awaries, Carne died at the scene of a collision involving a truck, a van and a car on the N25 at Barntown, Co Wexford, at 6.30am on Tuesday.
She was driving her car to her job in Pepsi Co Cork when the fatal collision occurred. Her body was taken to University Hospital Waterford for a postmortem examination.
Kate was a valued member of the team at PepsiCo in Cork. She was promoted last month having worked for the Little Island based branch of the company for over a year.
Colleagues have described her as a “one in a million” friend who was “wise beyond her years” and “sunshine to be around.”
Kate graduated from UCC last year with a Bachelor of Law Degree. During her time at college, she worked as a radio host at UCC 98.3FM and played for the UCC Women’s Soccer team.
She also served as the public relations officer for the team. UCC Women’s Soccer Team said that they learned of the passing of Kate with “great sadness.”
They described her as her as a ‘fantastic’ player and a deeply commmitted committee member. They offered their “deepest condolences” to her family, friends and team mates at this “sad time.”
Kate was also a member of the LGFA Junior Team at Bishopstown GAA in Cork. In a statement they said that she was a cherished member of the team.
“It with shock and a deep sadness that we have learned that Kate Wibbe, a member of our LGFA Junior team has tragically lost her life in a road traffic accident while returning to Cork from Wexford on Tuesday.
Kate joined our club this year and became part of our family, integrating seamlessly to the group, and represented Bishopstown GAA with pride. Our hearts go out to Kate's family, and we will mourn her loss. A young woman taken from us in the prime of her life. May Kate rest in peace.”
Kate will lie in repose at her family home in Carne from 1pm on Friday.
Her loved ones and friends will also come together onsite on Saturday at 1pm for a celebration of her life with burial following in Our Lady’s Island cemetery.
She is survived by her ‘heartbroken’ parents Fiona and Christian and her brother Daniel, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and her “many friends.”
Meanwhile, members of the public who may have witnessed the accident are asked to contact gardai with information.
The male driver of the van, who was in his forties, was taken to Wexford General Hospital for treatment for non life threatening injuries following the incident.The scene was preserved for technical examination.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time of the incident, are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
