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Tributes have been paid to two teenage boys killed after the e-scooter they were travelling on collided with a bus in the early hours of yesterday morning.
15-year-old Gilbert Collins, who was the driver of the e-scooter, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident which took place on the R680 Cork Road.
His friend, 17-year-old Abuzwa Idris sustained serious injuries in the crash and was rushed to Waterford University Hospital but succumbed to his injuries yesterday
The Mayor of Waterford City, Cllr. Jason Murphy said, “We can only imagine what both families are going through – for two young boys to die at such a young age. Gilbert went to the local school, St. Paul’s and had just completed his Junior Cert and he was a very popular young boy. His good friend Abuzwa was just 17 as well – it’s very hard for people in Waterford to comprehend that the two of them have been taken away in such tragic circumstances.”
Local councillor John Hearne said, “They’re absolutely devastated, they can’t believe what happened. To hear of the devastation caused to families, people hearing the news, they’ll be absolutely devastated.
“It’s a great community to have and the whole community will want to wrap their arms around them and mind them as best they can – because this is just absolutely devastating for any family to go through.”
It has yet to be established what exactly led to the collision with Gardaí yesterday appealing for witnesses to come forward. The driver of the bus was uninjured in the accident.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the Cork Road in Waterford city between 1:45am and 2:15am are asked to make this footage available to them.
Two soccer clubs of which the boys were members expressed their grief at the tragedy, with Gilbert Collin’s club saying “To say everyone at Waterford Crystal is hugely shocked and saddened at the news that came through yesterday of the tragic passing of Gilbert Collins would be a massive understatement.
“Gilbert played for the club at various age groups and was part of our U16 squad this season, Gilbert was a very good player, teammate and friend but was also a nice lad.
“The club would like to pass on its deepest condolences to his family and friends at this really difficult time. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.
“Our thoughts are also with coaches, teammates and other friends that Gilbert had in his time in Waterford Crystal.
“We would also like to pass on our condolences to the family of Avu Idris who also lost his life in this tragic accident.” it said.
Villa FC have paid tributes to Abuzwa Idris – who played for the club’s U17 team.
“Avu has played for the club for a number of years and was not only a very good player, but above all was a really nice young lad who always had a smile on his face.
“He loved football, playing with the club and his teammates and only recently took huge pleasure as he and his team won the Under 17 Cup Final.
“The club would like to pass on its deepest condolences to his family and friends at this really difficult time. Our thoughts are also with the coaches and teammates that Avu has had in his time in Villa.
“We would also like to pass on our condolences to the family of Gilbert Collins who also lost his life in this tragic accident.
“Sometimes life just isn’t fair and this is one of those occasions. RIP Avu,” the club stated.
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