Separate investigations are underway into the death of an 8 year old girl in a farm accident in Co Cork yesterday.

The girl died instantly after being struck by a front loader after it apparently fell from a tractor on top of her near Newtownshandrum.

An eleven year old girl, who was also struck by the front loader, is in a serious condition in Cork University Hospital.

David Raleigh reports:

The tragedy happened at around. 6.30 yesterday evening on a farm located at Ballinakill, near the village of Newtownshandrum.

Gardai believe both girls accidentally ran into the path of an oncoming tractor, which broke suddenly, causing the front loader bucket to fall on top of both girls.

An eight year old girl who was visiting the farm at the time died at the scene.

The girls are understood to be the daughters of Latvian couples living in Ireland.

The tractor operators eleven year old daughter was airlifted to Cork University Hospital where she is in a serious condition.

The deceased's parents were due to fly in to Dublin Airport last night to be met by Gardai who were to deliver the awful news.

Gardai and the Health and Safety Authority are investigating.