Miracle escape for girl (9) struck by falling tree while out cycling

A NINE-year-old girl had a miraculous escape during Storm Deirdre when she was struck by a falling tree in Cork.

The accident occurred as the youngster cycled with her family near the Marina, close to Blackrock, on Saturday afternoon.

The girl was out cycling with her mother and brother near the Atlantic Pond when she was struck by the falling tree.

She was pinned to the ground by the tree limbs as her shocked family watched helplessly.

The girl was later freed thanks to two units of Cork Fire Brigade.

Firemen, assisted by paramedics, worked for 45 minutes using saws to free her from the shattered boughs.

The girl suffered cuts, abrasions and a suspected fracture to her leg but escaped life-threatening injuries.

She is expected to make a full recovery.

Locals said the girl’s miraculous escape was due to the manner in which the tree fell with its limbs preventing the full weight of the tree from pressing on her.

“She was a very lucky girl. It could easily have been a terrible tragedy,” one local said.

Neighbours paid tribute to the speed and professionalism of the emergency services that raced to the scene.

Cork Fire Brigade officer Martin Coughlan said it had been a busy weekend for emergency services.

During Storm Deirdre, fire brigade units also had to rescue motorists stranded in flood waters.

The worst of the flooding, however, hit Wexford and Kilkenny.

The tree’s limbs stopped the full weight pressing down on her