Teen killed in horror crash on Lanzarote
Stephen dies after moped collision
AN Irish teenager has died on holiday after his moped collided with a car in Lanzarote.
Stephen O’gara was killed in a crash in the Canary Islands in the early hours of Saturday.
It is believed the 17-year-old, from Aughurine, Ballaghaderreen in Co Roscommon, had been on the Spanish island with his mum and aunt.
Fine Gael Senator John O’mahony said: “It’s a huge tragedy for a family that were getting a break on holidays.”
Stephen, an only child, had rented out the moped and it is understood he was travelling alone when the collision took place.
It is thought an onlooker raised the alarm and police and the emergency services rushed to the scene but a short time later the teenager was pronounced dead.
It is believed police were able to confirm his details and the apartment where he and his relatives were staying when they contacted the rental company.
Relatives from Co Roscommon are understood to have travelled to Lanzarote on Saturday to comfort his mum and other family members.
It is expected Stephen’s remains will be brought home in the coming days.
Mr O’mahony said local people had been left shocked by the tragedy, adding: “For this to happen casts a big shadow over everyone that knows the family and the whole community.
“Just as the news is emerging people are stunned by it.
“Everyone’s sympathy goes out to all of the family. The difficulty with something like this is it’s away from home.
“It’s a terrible time and our thoughts and prayers go out to everybody.”
Lanzarote is a popular tourist destination with good weather virtually guaranteed all year round. It is estimated around Irish 200,000 sunseekers travel there annually. Lanzarote