An American tourist was killed at a popular tourist spot near Dingle, Co Kerry, Saturday morning when she was hit by a truck carrying surfboards, according to the Independent.
Gena Hill, 59, from Kentucky, was staying in Killarney with her husband and was on a bus tour to Dingle when the accident occurred after they stopped off at the popular beach..
Inch Strand is on the main Killarney road. It is renowned as one of Ireland's most beautiful beaches. It was featured in the Hollywood blockbuster 'Ryan's Daughter' several years ago.
She had just stepped off the tour bus when she was killed on the picturesque Inch strand when she was hit by a truck just before 10 a.m. The truck was reversing after picking up some surfing gear.
There have been many complaints about vehicles on the beack which is walked by thousands, but the truck was officially authorized to be there to pick up surfing equipment. The beach is one of the top surfing places in Munster.
Mrs Hill, a grandmother, was one of the leaders of the tour.
The local parish priest in Fossa, Fr Brendan Harrington, prayed with the visitng party after the death was made public. A post mortem on the dead woman was held on Sunday.
A police investigation into the death is continuing.Mrs Hill is the third American in three years to die in Kerry. Two others were killed after falling of steep steps on Skelig Island.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.b4collins | Jul 05, 2011, 11:04 PM EDT
How pathetic that some poor readers point out TOTALLY inconsequential "errors" such as dates of movies, misspelling,beach conduct,et cetera, as well as making invalid accusations in trying to place blame in a very tragic accident in which a Mom, Grandmother, spouse, friend, worker, Christian has been taken from this earth.
ciarrai | Jul 05, 2011, 04:12 PM EDT
Inch beach was featured in "Ryan's Daughter" several years ago. Yeah, several years ago...about 41 YEARS AGO!!!! Doesn't anyone edit this rubbish?
GeorgeDillon | Jul 05, 2011, 11:43 AM EDT
The Irish have a very bad beach culture. They get drunk, leave trash, shout, play garbage music (no ceili, by the way!) have fights, throw used condoms on the sand, drive cars and motorbikes if they get a chance. The foreign migrants are just as bad, except their "music" is even viler. The quite beautiful Dollymount Beach in North Dublin is a zoo on a hot Sunday in summer. And I'd prefer not to think of what the sanitation workers have to deal with on the Monday morning! These Irish should come over to some beach like Hilton Head to learn how civilized people behave.
SeaMonkey1973 | Jul 05, 2011, 09:13 AM EDT
I was on the beach mere feet away when this terrible accident occurred and to clarify some points; the truck didn't have warning 'beepers' and neither was he 'hurrying' down the path. Whilst staying there I saw young people racing up and down the beach, doing doughnuts around families but to no consequence, this lorry was simply reversing carefully onto the beach as it did everyday from its parking spot a few feet away. This was a truly horrific accident and my heart goes out to all of those closely connected to this lady and also to the driver whom will live with this forever.
b4collins | Jul 04, 2011, 03:27 PM EDT
I will continue to lift all of Jenna's family and friends in prayer to our Lord. Praying that each will feel the power of the prayers to our Creator on their behalf and that each will feel surrounded by His mercy and love that will sustain all in this tragic, tragic loss. I ask Him to empower each to make wise decisions in the difficult days that follow and that each be sustained by His fathomless love and caring for each of us as we grieve. I ask all this in the powerful name of Jesus!
cillowen | Jul 04, 2011, 03:22 PM EDT
why those trucks don't have those backing up beepers is staggeringly stupid. What was the drivers hurry with backing up - there is adequate room on that beach to execute a turn rather than the lazy back by one on - god knows what.
cillowen | Jul 04, 2011, 03:20 PM EDT
why those trucks don't have those backing up beepers is staggeringly stupid. What was the drivers hurry with backing up - there is adequate room on that beach to execute a turn rather than the lazy back one on - god knows what.
antoman | Jul 04, 2011, 02:57 PM EDT
Another vile comment by georgyboy.I'm pretty much done with this site.My condolences to the family of the woman that died.
maire51 | Jul 04, 2011, 12:36 PM EDT
I am so saddened by the death of my fellow American on Inch Beach. I will keep her and her family in my prayers.
marciejm | Jul 04, 2011, 12:25 PM EDT
Terribly tragic indeed. Just for clarification, the photo used is not Inch Strand, it's Couminoole beach, which was used in Ryan's Daughter. Fact check, please.
mamaginnty | Jul 04, 2011, 11:14 AM EDT
An awful accident, but from the local news here in Ireland, it seems that the truck did have the reverse warning beepers which are quite loud if near them, AnnieO a lot of questions but I don't think anyone would reverse if they had a whole beach to turn on, the poor woman had just stepped off the bus so must have been near the strand wall. G.D. you just can help being a sicko, irish men do not get drunk at 10am.
rickycat | Jul 04, 2011, 11:00 AM EDT
Very sad story. In a most beautiful place, a happy occasion turned to tragedy. Sincere condolences to Mrs. Hill's family. Sympathy also to the truck driver who must be devastated as well.
AnnieOakley | Jul 04, 2011, 10:13 AM EDT
It doesn't matter what the nationality of this dead woman is. This accident should never have happened! Why didn't the driver simply get out, walk a few yards and look behind his truck before backing up, or have another person standing back there and helping him back up safely? Why did this driver ever put himself in a situation where he had to back up in the first place, especially on a beach???? It's not like he was making a delivery in a crowded city! He had a whole beach to turn around on! Was he so lazy that he couldn't park in a safer spot and carry the surfboards a few more feet? Backing accidents are completely preventable.
thomasbyrne | Jul 04, 2011, 10:11 AM EDT
Did she not see or hear the truck?
danielleryan | Jul 04, 2011, 10:10 AM EDT
They fell OFF steps, not OF them. Does Irish Central really need their readers to copy edit EVERY article for them?
GeorgeDillon | Jul 04, 2011, 08:50 AM EDT
Was the driver drunk at 10 a.m?