The boy has been named locally.
A 12-year-old boy who died after the car he was driving was involved in a crash in Limerick has been named as Wiktor Chojecki.
Shortly before 2am on Friday (11 February), emergency services were alerted to a collision between a car and a lorry on the N21 at Rineroe near Adare.
Wiktor was the driver and sole occupant of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body has been taken to the morgue at University Hospital Limerick and the coroner has been notified.
Meanwhile, the driver of the lorry, a man in his 40s, did not require hospital treatment.
Monsignor Dan Neenan attended the scene of the crash overnight.
“I got the call from the guards at around 4am… The fatality seemed to be very young,” he told RTÉ’s News at One.
“I went immediately. They were getting him out of the car… but he was very clearly dead.
“I obviously anointed him and blessed him, said some prayers.”
Praising the emergency services for their sensitivity and professionalism, he said they then waited for the parents of the boy to arrive.
“They arrived from Newcastle West. Obviously, they were just so shocked but also incredibly dignified,” he recounted.
“We gave them some moments on their own with their son and then I chatted with them and prayed with them.
“It was just harrowing to see really what is only a child lying dead.”
Wiktor was a first year student at secondary school Scoil Mhuire agus Íde in Limerick.
In a statement, the school’s principal Seán Lane said he learned this morning of Wiktor’s death, describing it as a “terrible tragedy for the Chojecki family, our school and our community.”
“We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Wiktor’s family and friends,” the statement reads.
“Wiktor was a first year student and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
“Offers of support have been pouring in and are greatly appreciated. Our school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan.
“A psychologist from NEPS [National Educational Psychological Service] has been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist our students at this time.
“The teachers have been helping students to deal with the tragic event.
“We would ask you to respect our privacy at this time.”
Gardaí have appealed for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.
Any road users who may have camera footage, including dashcam footage, and were travelling on the N21 near the Adare area at the time of the crash are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
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