TRIBUTES have poured in for a young Irish backpacker who died in a horror crash in Bolivia last Friday.
Oisin Hoy, 29, from Clontarf in Co Dublin, was part of a group of seven people travelling the salt flats by Toyota Landcruiser.
It is understood the vehicle flipped onto the side and travelled 40 metres before coming to a stop
Oisin was seriously injured in the crash and died on route to the nearby the city of Potosi for medical attention.
The 29-year-old is survived by his parents Kevin and Mary and siblings Peter, Niamh and Caoimhe.
The Hoy family are active members of their local GAA club with Kevin currently vice-chair and Mary an active member of the committee.
Oisin’s siblings have all played sport with Clontarf GAA and Oisin had also been a “long-standing member” of the club.
Posting an emotional tribute to the young Dublin man the club said they were in “deep shock” after his sudden death.
Sharing a photo of Oisin alongside his loving parents they said: “It was with a sense of deep shock that we learned of the tragic and all too early death of Oisin Hoy, son of Kevin and Mary.
“The Hoys are a real club family: Kevin is currently vice-chair and Mary is an active committee member in the club and Oisin’s brother and sisters, Peter, Niamh and Caoimhe have all played for Clontarf.
“Oisin was a long standing member of the club having played all the way through the juvenile ranks in hurling and football and into the world of adult football.
“He is remembered by all who played with him or coached him as a hugely positive person. He always presented with a smile and made a significant contribution to any team he played with.”
The club continued: “His trademark smile is pictured here with Mary and Kevin after completing the Barcelona marathon on his birthday on 16th March, still representing the club after all these years!
“Oisin, however, was more than a footballer. He was an inveterate traveller with a deep interest in other countries, cultures and, above all, in people.
‘SO CRUELLY TAKEN’
“This interest in travelling took him to all arts and parts of the world in recent years, most recently to South America. It was there, in Bolivia, that the fatal car crash occurred.
“There is little that we can say to Kevin, Mary and the rest of the Hoy family at this tragic time other than to note that we will always remember Oisin as one who brought joy, warmth and happiness to any conversation.”
Further tributes have poured in for Oisin, who has been remembered as a friendly and always smiling person.
One mourner said: “He was a wonderful young man always so friendly and smiley.”
Another wrote: “He was an amazing young man so cruelly taken from you.”
And another person simply added: “Heartbroken”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is aware of the case.
They said: “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.”
Funeral details have yet to be announced for Oisin.
