Girl (8) fatally injured in Co Cork crash

A woman in her 30s is fighting for her life in hospital following a two car collision in Co Cork which claimed the life of her eight-year-old daughter.

The woman and her daughter were holidaying with friends in West Cork when their car was in collision with another car on the N71 near Rosscarbery at about 3pm.

The four other occupants of the car received minor injuries in the crash as did the 17-year-old driver of the second vehicle.

The emergency services were alerted but the eight-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene and her body removed to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem examination.

The girl’s mother was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where she is in a critical condition.

The collision happened on a steep section of roadway near the turnoff for Owenahincha Beach. Gardaí closed off the road to allow a forensic crash investigator examine the scene.

Diversions are in place on the road which is the main thoroughfare between Clonakilty and Skibbereen and are expected to remain in place until around 10pm tonight.