Irish tourist Oisín Hoy was killed in a car accident in Bolivia.RIP.ie
A young Irishman who died following a 4×4 crash in Bolivia has been remembered as someone who made everyone’s lives "that bit brighter."
Oisín Hoy, who was in his 30s, was killed last Friday when the vehicle he was travelling in overturned in the Potosí region of the South American country.
Oisín belonged to a well-known GAA family in Clontarf, north Dublin, and was described as a talented player and a "hugely positive person."
The chair of Clontarf GAA Club, Brendan Doody, said: "It was with a sense of deep shock that we in Clontarf GAA learned of the tragic and all-too-early death of Oisín Hoy, son of Kevin and Mary.
"The Hoys are a real club family: Kevin is currently vice-chair and Mary is an active committee member in the club, and Oisín’s brother and sisters, Peter, Niamh and Caoimhe, have all played for Clontarf.
"Oisín was a longstanding member of the club…. He is remembered by all who played with him or coached him as a hugely positive person. He always presented with a smile and made a significant contribution to any team he played with."
Mr. Doody added: "Oisín, however, was more than a footballer. He was an inveterate traveller with a deep interest in other countries, cultures and, above all, in people.
"This interest in travelling took him to all arts and parts of the world in recent years, most recently to South America. It was there, in Bolivia, that the fatal car crash occurred.
"He will be greatly missed in the club as a player, but more importantly as a person who made everyone’s day just that little bit brighter."
Local Independent TD Barry Heneghan said he was sending his thoughts to Oisín’s "wonderful family," whom he described as "true Clontarf legends."
He said: "I have such lovely memories of swimming and speaking as Gaeilge with Oisín down on Dollyer [Dollymount]. He was a truly larger-than-life character. He left a mark on everyone he met."
Oisín was among a group of seven travelling in the Toyota Land Cruiser when the accident occurred shortly after 5 pm on Friday.
He sustained an abdominal injury and was rushed to hospital, but died en route. Five of the other occupants of the car were injured. They included two Bolivians, two Germans, and a Dutchman.
A local police chief is citing speed as a potential reason for the tragedy. Colonel Wilson Flores claimed that one of the tourists had requested to drive the vehicle so they could record a video for social media when the accident unfolded.
He said: "Unfortunately, due to excessive speed, it lost control and the vehicle turned over, causing one death and five injuries."
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said it is providing consular assistance.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.