Waterford e-scooter crash victims named as tributes paid to ‘lovely young men’

Two teenagers who were travelling on the same e-scooter tragically died on Thursday following a traffic collision involving a bus in Waterford. The young boys have been named locally as Gilbert Collins, 15, and Abuzwa Idras, 17.

Young Gilbert was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, which occurred shortly before 2.10am yesterday on the R680 Cork Road in Waterford City.

His friend, Abuzwa, was taken to Waterford University Hospital with serious injuries, and sadly passed away yesterday afternoon.
The boys were reportedly travelling to or from a gym that is open 24 hours a day.

A source said: “Two youths were on a scooter, came from the footpath onto the road and were hit by a bus travelling on the road.”

READ MORE: Second teen loses fight for life after e-scooter crash in Waterford

READ MORE: Teenager killed after e-scooter struck by bus

It is understood that both boys were local to the area, and Gilbert had just completed his Junior Certificate at St Paul’s Community College. The school will be offering counselling services for anyone who was affected by his death.

Gilbert has been described as a “lovely young man, very friendly, very outgoing, and a person who was very popular in school”. He was well-known in Waterford City and played soccer for one of the local clubs.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Jason Murphy, said the deaths of the boys is “an awful tragedy”.

Speaking before the death of Abuzwa was announced, he said: “As mayor of Waterford City and County and behalf of all the people in Waterford all our thoughts and prayers are with the young man and his family and friends and his school. It’s an awful time for everyone, we hope the other young man will pull through. I hope that the bus driver gets all the support that they need over the next days and weeks ahead because it’s going to be very difficult for them as well.”

Sinn Féin Cllr John Hearne said: “It’s an absolute tragedy, a young life loss is a terrible thing, it’s never a good time, he had so many good times ahead of him and they won’t see it now.”

The road where the accident occurred has been re-opened as a technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators has been completed.

A garda spokesperson said: “A Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been assigned to provide support to the families at this time. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

“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 Gardaí. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”

This comes as electric scooters were made legal on Irish roads on May 20, 2024. Anyone over the age of 16 can ride an e-scooter without a licence up to a maximum speed of 20 km/h.

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