TRIBUTES have been paid to the 13-year-old girl who died in a crash while competing in an auto grass racing event in Cork yesterday afternoon. The popular school girl has been named locally as Lauren O’Brien of Knockane, Terelton. She was driving a hatchback car in a competition at a private car racing track in Castletown Kennigh near Enniskean, in West Cork when the vehicle went out of control and crashed into a barrier. Lauren, who was a first year student in Macroom in Co Cork, was killed instantly and was pronounced dead at the scene. She was one of four competitors in the junior event which was held in conjunction with a big number of races on a sunny afternoon when tragedy struck around 3.30pm. Other young people who were taking part in the heat in which Lauren died were deeply upset by what had occurred. Large numbers of spectators also witnessed the accident including members of her family. Gardai have started taking statements from people who saw the accident unfold. Racing got underway at 11am yesterday morning and was immediately suspended when the accident happened. TRIBUTES FLOW Irish Racing driver Hanna Celsie posted on social media that she was saddened to hear of the death of the teenager. She said: “My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young talented girl who sadly past away yesterday after an accident, racing at an event put on by Cork Autograss Racing Club. RIP.” Kart Paddock, a social media page which posts karting and motor racing results, said that it would not be posting results “out of respect to the young girl who died.” They said: “Thoughts and condolences are with the family, friends, teams and everyone in the Autograss Racing Club paddock.” Cork Autograss Club was formed in 1998 from the West Cork Hotrod club. The club races from Castletown Kennnigh Track which is part of a community complex that includes a soccer pitch located inside the large racing track where night competitions are also held because the track is fully floodlit. WITNESS APPEAL Gardai have preserved the scene for a technical examination. The Coroner was notified of the death and an inquest will be held at a later date. A family liaison office will also be appointed to assist the family. The West Cork Hotrod Club has raced at the Castletown Kennigh track for nearly three decades. A major track extension was carried out in 2010 in conjunction with Castletown Celtic football club whose pitch is the centre of the track. Autograss Racing is motor racing on loose surface track with anything from near road spec 1000cc hatchbacks to full space framed saloons with engines varying from large v8’s to twin bike powered and even the odd turbo diesel. The sport caters for competitors from the age of twelve upwards. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the incident. Anyone who may have camera footage and were attending the event between 3pm and 4pm yesterday are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bandon Garda Station on (023) 8852200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. The death is being treated as a tragic accident.