A Carlow community is said to be in "deep, deep shock" after a 14-year-old boy died in a farming accident yesterday.

It happened just outside the town of Ballon when Donal English-Hayden and his brother were in a trailer that overturned into a river.

Donal died following the incident, while his 15-year-old brother suffered minor injuries.

He was released from St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny last night.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is investigating the incident, and has described what happened as a freak accident.

Pat Deering is Fine Gael TD for Carlow-Kilkenny.

"While these freak accidents - and unfortunately we have to have too many freak accidents, farm accidents, in recent times" he said.

"It is a very tragic situation; young Donal was due to go back to school - as indeed many other of his friends were - but it wasn't to be for him" he added.

Mr Deering told Newstalk Breakfast the family are very well-know in the community.