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Hook Head tragedy: 'Aoife's death left such a huge void in our lives'

Aoife Winterlich died tragically in a scouting accident at Hook Head.

THE MOTHER OF a 14-year-old girl who died on a scouting accident at Hook Head paid tribute to rescue services ‘who did everything possible’ to save her.

In a moving statement at the end of an inquest into her daughter Aoife Winterlich’s death, Anne Winterlich said her daughter’s loss had left a huge void for the family.

She thanked the air accident crew whose actions gave the family “precious time” to say goodbye to Aoife.

“Our beautiful Aoife, so adorable and funny in nature. She had a kind disposition, so creative, a wonderful artist. We are left with such a huge void in our lives, we will love and miss her forever.”

Anne Winterlich thanked Phillip Byrne, a friend and fellow scout who tried to rescue Aoife after she was swept out to sea.

Myself and my family wish to sincerely thank the Air Accident crew for doing everything possible to save Aoife and Phillip. It is because of these men and Phillip that we were given precious time to say goodbye to our beautiful daughter and sister.

“We will be forever grateful to Phillip for his bravery and for the love and friendship he showed to Aoife. To the other children present that day, we would like to thank you too,” Winterlich said.

Rescue

The Waterford Coast Guard helicopter arrived at Hook Head at 2.15pm on Sunday 6 December 2015. The crew winched both casualties to safety but Aoife, who remained unconscious, slipped from her harness and fell 40 feet into the sea below. She was immediately winched back to safety and transferred to hospital.

At Dublin Coroner’s Court Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane returned a verdict of death by misadventure.

The coroner made a recommendation for a general review of supervision arrangements for children particularly in relation to potentially hazardous activities.

“This is a recommendation that should be directed at any group that has supervision of children where there are potential hazards,” Dr Cullinane said.

The coroner also recommended that signage at Hook Head lighthouse alert the public to the dangers of the area as illustrated by the circumstances of Aoife’s death.

Dr Cullinane commended the family’s “very generous” decision to donate Aoife’s organs as “a wonderful gift for a significant number of families”.

The coroner noted the loss of Aoife’s father, Martin Winterlich, in the weeks following Aoife’s death.

“This has been a very difficult inquest to hear. I know Aoife was a cherished daughter and the family has suffered the loss of Aoife’s father since. I hope this process can assist you in coming to terms with your loss,” the coroner said.

Anne Winterlich said she hoped changes would be made to prevent similar tragic loss of life.

“Children should always be surpervised and kept safe during organised trips. We hope changes will be made to make sure this never happens again,” Anne Winterlich said.

A previous inquest hearing on 6 September heard there was no significant injuries to Aoife’s body besides bruises and scrapes possibly sustained as she lost her footing on the rocks and was swept out to sea. The cause of death was brain damage due to a near drowning, according to a post-mortem report.

After she fell from the harness, Aoife was retrieved from the sea and winched back to the helicopter within one minute and 15 seconds. She was transferred to Waterford General Hospital and later to Crumlin Children’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead five days later on 11 December.

The group of 14 scouts aged between 14 and 17 had arrived at Hook Head lighthouse, taken a tour and had been given 20 minutes free time to eat their lunch when the tragedy unfolded.

Read: 14-year-old girl scout’s fall from helicopter ‘unlikely’ to have caused her death, inquest hears>

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    Mute Diarmuid Dorney
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 8:40 AM

    Salmonella would certainly be an unwanted surprise from a kinder egg

    126
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    Mute Jason Walsh
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 8:57 AM

    @Diarmuid Dorney: Thankfully our American friends won’t suffer salmonella from a Kinde Egg cause they aren’t allowed for sale due to the toy being a choking hazard. American kids must unhinged their jaws and try to eat them whole or something.

    54
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    Mute El Sparko
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 9:01 AM

    @Diarmuid Dorney: I wonder does the salmonella come fully assembled or is there a 5 step instruction leaflet along with some small stickers…

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    Mute CryptoFactor ☘️
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 11:23 AM

    @Jason Walsh: You think it’s the egg that’s the chocking hazard?? It’s the toy. Silly law in a country where children can legally own guns.

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    Mute Kevin O'Brien
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 11:39 AM

    @Jason Walsh: Can’t buy a Kinder Egg in Walmart because they are dangerous. You can buy a gun though. Makes perfect sense.

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    Mute Oliver Walker
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 11:09 AM

    Surprise

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    Mute Derek Moran
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 5:56 PM

    Whats german for unwanted pregnancy? Kinder surprise. Lol…

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    Mute The world outside the M50
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 12:26 PM

    Did you ever notice that most Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter causing Food Poisoning comes from Animal Products ?
    Do you think they are trying to tell us something ?
    Isn’t it about time we gave up on cruelty to animals – forcing them to be pregnant so as we can take their milk to make ‘chocolate eggs’ ?

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    Mute D. Memery
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 1:07 PM

    @The world outside the M50: have you noticed how Salmonella can also occur with vegetables and leafy greens, rice, fruit or sprouts?
    https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-that-cause-food-poisoning#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9
    Maybe we should just stop eating full stop?
    Maybe you should adopt your own handle and look at the world outside the M50?

    49
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    Mute The world outside the M50
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 1:29 PM

    @D. Memery: Maybe you missed the word ‘MOST’ so I repeat it in capitals for you.
    The main reason for the rare Salmonella on Vegetables is the use of improperly treated ANIMAL MANURE and irrigating with contaminated water – SO nothing to do with the vegetables in an of themselves but outside factors.
    No – we obviously should not stop eating – but we need to remember where Swine Flu, Avian Flu, SARS, COVID and other Zoonotic diseases come from – our interaction with animals.
    Factory Farming is the culprit here not eating.
    As for looking at the world outside the M50 – I’m glad that I don’t live inside it.

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    Mute lelookcoco
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 2:44 PM

    @The world outside the M50: You do realise a kinder egg is not an animal product. It’s actually a chocolate egg!

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    Mute OConnelj
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 2:49 PM

    @lelookcoco: where do you get your milk? Coconuts?

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    Mute The world outside the M50
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 9:49 PM

    @lelookcoco: You do realise a kinder egg uses Milk from an animal ???
    You do realise that what they call ‘Milk’ Chocolate is because they get Mammary Juice from the Cow ?
    Wake up to what you and your children are eating – there is even a ‘pus’ count now for milk

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    Mute Elaine Phelan
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    Apr 4th 2022, 10:58 PM
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    Mute The world outside the M50
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    Apr 8th 2022, 10:00 PM

    @Elaine Phelan: The main reason for the rare Salmonella on Vegetables is the use of improperly treated ANIMAL MANURE and irrigating with contaminated water – SO nothing to do with the vegetables in an of themselves but outside factors.

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    Mute Pat O'Leary
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    Apr 3rd 2022, 11:49 AM

    Our small fella’s favourite treat :-(

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