A toddler was killed by a car after he wandered out of his holiday home - when his parents thought he was sleeping. The 21-month-old boy was knocked down by a Jeep shortly after 9am yesterday, near the village of Ballinagare in Ireland's County Roscommon.
The youngster's parents are believed to have travelled to Ireland on holiday from the UK and were staying with family members when the tragedy struck, reports the Mirror. The child had left his bed and wandered out of the house on his own while his parents were still asleep, the Irish Mirror reports.
It's thought the collision happened when a driver didn't see the child as he entered the area near to where the toddler had been staying. He then immediately alerted the residents of the nearby house after he realised what had happened.
They soon noticed the child wasn't in bed or inside the house, and the boy was treated at the scene of the accident by emergency services. However, despite their best efforts, he was later pronounced dead.
A source told the Irish Daily Mail : "They were a couple from the UK who were staying at a family member’s house, in a very rural area about two miles outside Ballinagare. A neighbour who owns fields beside them was turning into his land when he noticed a bump.
"When he got out of his jeep and saw the toddler he ran straight to the house and alerted the people inside. The parents were still in bed at the time and informed him that their son was still asleep. Unfortunately, they soon discovered that this wasn’t the case and that the child must have left the house on his own."
Gardaí are now investigating the incident but confirmed that no foul play is suspected. No other injuries were reported in the collision either.
In response to the tragedy, Cllr Tom Crosby said: “It’s shocking. I don’t know the family, but it’s very sad. It’s a close knit community and they will certainly be there to support the family at this time and through the coming days, weeks and months. And I send my condolences on behalf of Roscommon County Council.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice added: “I just have sympathy with the family on this tragic incident, it’s an absolutely terrible tragedy.”
A technical examination of the crash scene was carried out by forensic investigators yesterday and a Gardaí liaison officer has been appointed to support the family.
Officers are now appealing for witnesses, particularly road users who were in the area at the time and may have dash cam footage, to come forward. Anyone with information can contact Boyle Garda Station 071 966 4620 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
A Gardaí spokesperson said: "The collision occurred shortly after 9am when a jeep collided with a male infant. The infant received treatment at the scene but was later pronounced deceased. His body was then taken to the mortuary at University Hospital Galway where a post-mortem will take place.
"No other injuries were reported. A technical examination of the scene by Forensic Collision Investigators has since been completed and a family liaison officer has been appointed to support the family at this time."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
