Tributes to popular Mayo student after tragedy as GoFundMe campaign raises over €20,000
Young motorcyclist Kacper Swierkowski, aged 18, died after a singe vehicle collision at Cloonkeen on the R309 shortly after 5pm on Wednesday evening.
Tributes have been paid to popular student Kacper Swierkowski, who died in a single vehicle collision in the Castlebar area yesterday, as a GoFundMe page to help his family has raised over €20,000.
The 18-year-old, who was from the county town, was fatally injured on his motorcycle at Cloonkeen on the R309 shortly after 5pm on Wednesday evening.
Kacper was a Leaving Cert student in Davitt College and a past student of St Patrick’s NS who worked part-time at a local sports store.
He was the son of Polish parents, Robert and Jola, who have been living in Castlebar for several years.
Local Fine Gael Councillor Ger Deere, who knows the Swierkowski family, said the people of Castlebar are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragedy.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his large close circle of friends," he said. "Kacper was very popular, unassuming and a hardworking and lovely young man."
Garda Forensic collision investigators have examined the scene, the local coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination is due to take place.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been set up for Kacper's family by a family friend to assist with unexpected funeral costs, services, and time off work and there has been a phenomenal response.
It states Kacper unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, March 13 leaving behind his two brothers Patryk and David and his parents Jola and Robert.
"The family is understandably shocked by this loss and unfortunately not prepared for all that goes along with planning a funeral at this time," the post reads.
The fundraising page states Jola and Robert are amazing people and friends who are always looking for different ways to give back to their community and have helped many people in their time of need.
"It is now our turn to help Jola and Robert and theirs children as they deal with the loss of Kacper," the post concludes.
Anyone who would like to donate to the GoFundMe can do so by clicking here
Meanwhile, Gardaí have urged road users with camera footage, including dash-cam recordings, who were in the area at the time to provide this footage to them.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to contact Castlebar Garda Station at 094 9038200, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
