Irish tourist killed in 4x4 horror incident in Bolivia named

Dublin Live

2 days ago

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Authorities in Bolivia are investigating after an Irish tourist was killed when a 4x4 overturned on the country's famous salt flats.
The man, named locally as Oisin Hoy, 29, was among a group of seven in a Toyota Landcruiser when the accident occurred on Friday afternoon shortly before 5pm. Officials said they were on their way to a local volcano when vehicle flipped over and travelled for a further 40 metres before coming to a halt on its side.
Mr Hoy was gravely injured and was being brought to the nearby city of Potosi when he died en route. Five others, including two Bolivians, two Germans and a Dutchman were also injured.
Three required hospital treatment in Potosi due to the severity of their injuries. Images broadcast by local media showed the open-backed Landcruiser with a badly-crushed roof.
Local police chief Colonel Wilson Flores said authorities believe the incident occurred due to excessive speed. He said one of the other tourists had requested to drive the vehicle in order to record a video for social media when it occurred.
Flores said: "Unfortunately due to excessive speed, it lost control and the vehicle turned over, causing one death and five injuries. The deceased passed away en route to Potosi due to the abdominal injury he suffered."
Local tourism boss Raul Torres said the accident occurred amid increasing concerns about safety levels among tour operators in Bolivia. He said many firms were not attending road safety training and an instruction session scheduled for last Friday had been cancelled because of the failure of company drivers to show up.
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