Two arrested after Irishman killed in Canada hit-&-run
Tributes paid online to Eoghan, 24, after road smash tragedy
SUPPORT Sgt Steve Addison
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A POLICE manhunt after an Irishman was killed in a hitand-run in Canada is now focusing on identifying the driver after two arrested men were released.
Eoghan Byrne, 24, died when he was struck by a car at speed as he crossed a road in Vancouver at 11.24pm local time on Sunday.
Witnesses described the noise from the collision as a “loud bang” and the force of it was like a “car hitting a building”.
It took some time to identify Eoghan, but his heartbroken family was finally informed and immediately flew to the city.
Grief-stricken friends in Vancouver left flowers at the scene for the Trinity College Dublin science student, from Skerries in Co Dublin.
Friends at home have paid tributes to the pal, who they affectionately knew by his nickname Goose, and revealed he formerly worked as a lifeguard at the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the tragedy and confirmed that it is providing consular assistance to Eoghan’s devastated family.
Vancouver Police Department Sgt Steve Addison said: “We believe he was flown through the air and died at the scene, instantly.
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“His family from Ireland are making their way here. We will work to support them.”
The moment of the fatal collision was recorded by CCTV footage camera and shows Eoghan’s body flying across the road, nearly 100 metres from the crash site.
Two men, one aged 63 and the other 25, were arrested on Monday, following the road fatality in Vancouver’s Kitsilano area.
Police said Eoghan was walking close to his home when he was struck and killed near West 4th Avenue and Arbutus Street.
They said it was a grey sedan that was allegedly “travelling at high speeds” and the driver did not stop and Eoghan died at the scene.
Sgt Addison revealed the arrested 25-year-old is the suspected driver, but both men have been released amid ongoing investigations to determine who was behind the wheel and if they ran a red light.
Witness Gabrielle Burke said: “I can still hear the collision in my head. It was so loud.”
In an online tribute, pal Niall Patrick from Antrim wrote: “RIP Goose, a real pleasure knowing you. He truly was one of the nicest guys ever.”