Priest appeals for tighter e-scooter safety rules after teen dies
Sarah Slater
A parish priest at the funeral mass of a 17-year-old who died following an e-scooter fall in Carlow has called for more safety features to be implemented around their use.
Leaving Certificate student Janis Ghirghircic Ozols from Willow Park, Carlow town, died when he and a friend fell from the e-scooter he was on as they travelled along the area of Carpenter’s Way between 8.30pm and 9pm on Monday of last week.
The teenager sustained serious injuries and was transported to St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny before being transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The second, an adult male in his late teens, was medically assessed at the scene. He did not require immediate hospital treatment.
Parish Priest Fr Thomas Little told those gathered at The Holy Family Church, Askea, Carlow, for his 11am Requiem Mass that “We know that everybody here in the church and town that heard of the sudden and sad death of Janis were deeply saddened and shocked. His passing even made national news.
“We discovered that many other people have suffered terrible accidents from e-scooters. While e-scooters in themselves give a great sense of freedom, a great sense of exhilaration, and a great sense of being able to go from one place to another it also has serious implications because of safety requirements.”
During his homily, Fr Little appealed to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to “come together and make arrangements that they (e-scooters) would become more safe, maybe slowed down a bit more, maybe wear clothing and a helmet. Things that would be needed for the e-scooter. There is no doubt that Janis loved the freedom of the e-scooter and was able to share it with his friends.”
He continued: “Janis was known in his Presentation Class for being easygoing and not overly concerned about being always first in the class at doing things, but took life leisurely as we should.
“He was loved deeply by his family - each and every one of them and he contributed hugely to the family with his kindness and his endeavour by the great love and talent he shared at home. I know that it is certainly very difficult for his Mum, his family, his friends to deal with."
Symbols of his life were brought to the altar, a little bowl from Spain, reminds of the happy days in slippers, snippers as he was going to be a hairdresser, and a jersey he loved.
A photograph of the young man was displayed on the altar as his oak coffin was carried by family members and friends.
In his eulogy his brother Mark, said Janis was “never alone during all the chaos of Monday evening and Tuesday morning”.
He thanked the “paramedics, Garda Abbie, doctors and surgeons for being there for us all. A special thank you to the organisers and for those who donated on the Gofundme page. To all his friends, thank you for comforting my mother as you are hurting as well.”
Janis is survived by his mother Liga, brothers Roman, Mark, Sandris, Rihards, Ruslan, sister Kora and step father Ingus.
His burial took place immediately afterwards in St Marys Cemetery, Carlow.
Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them. Road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) from Carpenters Way around the time of the collision are also asked to make this available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station on 059 913 6620, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Garda investigations are ongoing.
