‘The community shares your trauma’ - inquest adjourned into e-scooter deaths of Waterford teens Gilbert Collins and Avu Sampo
The inquest was adjourned until after criminal proceedings take place.
The inquest into the deaths of Waterford teens Gilbert Collins and Avu Sampo has been adjourned due to criminal proceedings taking place next month.
Gilbert and Avu died after the e-scooter they were travelling on collided with a bus on the Cork Road, Waterford City, in the early hours of June 27, 2024.
On Tuesday, May 27, the families of both Gilbert and Avu attended Waterford Coroner’s Court for the inquest, presided over by County Coroner John P. Goff.
While the inquest was adjourned, the Coroner's Court did hear evidence from the consultant pathologist who performed autopsies on the late teenagers.
The Coroner's Court heard how on June 27, 2024, Gardaí and Gilbert’s father Bobby formally identified the remains of Gilbert at the mortuary of University Hospital Waterford (UHW).
Consultant pathologist Dr Eimear Lee performed a post-mortem that revealed the cause of death to be severe cerebral trauma as a result of a road traffic accident.
Avu was declared dead on June 28, 2024, at Cork University Hospital, and was formally identified at Cork City Mortuary. Dr Lee performed the post-mortem and returned the cause of death as being severe traumatic brain injury as a result of a road traffic accident.
Inspector Garda Shay Keevans requested that the inquest be adjourned while criminal proceedings are ongoing.
Mr Goff accepted the request and told Gilbert’s family that he can revisit the matter when the criminal proceedings are finished.
The families will be issued official death certificates after the criminal proceedings are over.
He said: “My sincere sympathies to you all, I know that the whole community is very distressed and shares your trauma.
“It’s a terrible tragedy what happened that night.”
Inspector Keevans and Dr Lee shared their sympathies with the families.
A man has been charged with dangerous driving causing the death of the two teenagers. The case is scheduled to be heard next month in Waterford Circuit Court.
