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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Sophie Collins

Community heartbroken after death of 'vibrant' teen three months after freak accident in Waterford

A teenager has died just three months after being hit by the wing mirror of a van as she got off her school bus.

Aisling Kennedy, who was just 13 at the time, sustained serious injuries as a result of the accident which occurred on the Ballymacarbry Road on April 7.

She was airlifted from Waterford University Hospital to Temple Street in Dublin within two hours of emergency services arriving on the scene, "such was the severity of her injury," according to her mum.

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The First Year student from Presentation Secondary School was left with what was described as a devastating brain injury following the incident and has been in a coma since.

Describing the moment she was informed of her daughter's conditions, Aisling’s mother, Louise wrote on their GoFundMe page: “On the 7th of April 2022, I received the phone call which every parent fears most, and what was a routine journey home from work and school for everyone in our family culminated in Temple Street Hospital.

“On walking the last few yards to home, our beautiful little girl, Aisling, was struck in the head by the wing mirror of a van and in the movement from one side of the road to the other her life was changed forever.

“Aisling was so fortunate to immediately receive the help of passing motorists, of our wonderful neighbours, and of the life saving paramedic and air ambulance teams which treated her at the scene.

“She was immediately airlifted to Dublin, such was the severity of her injury.”

Her school confirmed this morning on Facebook that they had learned of the young girl’s death in the late hours of Tuesday night.

In a heartfelt post, they paid tribute to the ‘vibrant’ and ‘popular’ student and expressed their deepest condolences to her family and friends.

On Facebook, a spokesperson from Aisling’s school wrote: “This morning we remember our First Year student Aisling Kennedy. We learned last night that Aisling had sadly passed to her eternal reward after a very brave battle with her injuries sustained from a traffic accident before Easter.

“Aisling was a very popular and vibrant member of our First Year group. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loving family (Mam Louise, Dad Tom, her sisters Eimear and Aoife) at this difficult time.

“All staff, students and members of Board of Management of Presentation Secondary School Clonmel are deeply saddened by this news. We want to express our sincere sympathy to Aisling’s family and friends. She will be missed dearly by all of us. May Aisling Rest In Peace.”

Mourners have been flocking to the post to give condolences to the family, and one person wrote: “R.I.P Aisling. You fought so hard young lady. Absolutely devastating news.

“Deepest Condolences to mam Louise, dad Tom, sisters Eimear and Aoife and all your family, friends and your young school friends. May God carry you all through the hard days ahead and always.”

A second added: “So sad for the whole community. May Aisling rest in peace. Heartbreaking.”

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