HSA concludes investigation on farm where girl (8) was killed

Health and Safety Authority inspectors have concluded their examination at the scene of a fatal farm accident in Co Cork, which claimed the life of one little girl and left another little girl in a critical condition in a hospital.

Paula Dinsberga (8), was fatally injured and her friend, Kerija Pliesnanis (11), was seriously injured when the bucket fell from a tractor and hit them as they were playing on the farm at Rusheen, Newtownshandrum near Charleville in North Cork around 6pm on Sunday.

Paula and here three siblings were staying with Kerija and her parents, Edgar and Christina at their rented house in Rusheen for the weekend while Paula's parents, Linda and Raivo were back in their native Latvia attending a wedding.

The HSA were notified of the accident and their inspectors arrived on Monday morning at the scene of the tragedy and began examining the machinery which had been kept at the scene overnight by gardaí who preserved the scene.

A HSA spokesman confirmed that HSA inspectors have completed their investigation at the scene.

They have removed both the tractor and its front loader to a secure location for a detailed technical examination.

Meanwhile, Garda under Supt Pat McCarthy of Mallow Garda Station are´ continuing with their investigation into the tragedy with a view to preparing a file on Paula’s death for an inquest at the North Cork Coroner’s Court.

It is understood one theory which gardaí are investigating is that Edgar Pliesnanis, who is renting a house on the farm with his wife and their four children, was driving the tractor when the girls ran in front of him and he was forced to brake and the bucket broke free.

The tragedy has caused huge sadness in both North Cork and in Limerick where Paula lived with her parents, Linda and Raivo, her six year old twin brothers and one year old sister in the Orchards at Huntsfield in Dooradoyle.

Paula’s body was released back to the family on Monday evening following the completion of the post-mortem by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster at Cork University Hospital on Monday.

Meanwhile Kerija, who was medi-vacked by a Defence Forces helicopter to Cork University Hospital, remained in a critical but stable condition at the hospital’s intensive care unit after undergoing emergency surgery on Sunday night.