Two dead and several injured in multi-vehicle crash involving bus and lorry in Co Meath; Separate incident closes part of M1
Lorry driver and bus driver die in Gormanstown incidentWoman and teenage girl in hospital with serious injuries, and several more people hurt
The collision, involving a lorry, a bus and a car, occurred on the R132 in Gormanstown at around 6.30am.
The driver of the lorry, aged in his 40s, and the driver of the bus, aged in his 50s, were pronounced dead at the scene, gardaí confirmed.
The driver of the car aged in her 40s, was brought to Beaumont Hospital for treatment for serious injuries.
The female passenger of the car, aged in her teens, was initially brought to our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, and then transferred to Temple Street Children’s Hospital for treatment for serious injuries.
A number of other people have also been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
A spokesperson for Bus Éireann said: “Bus Éireann can confirm one of our route 101 services has been involved in a critical road traffic collision involving other vehicles in the Gormanstown Cross area of county Meath this morning.
“Emergency services and Bus Éireann personnel are currently at the scene.
“We will provide further information as it becomes available.”
The 101 route serves Dublin to Drogheda via Balbriggan.
The R132, which was the old N1 route, remains closed, and local diversions are in place.
Gardaí at the scene of the collision involving a bus, truck and a car in Co Meath. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins
The R132 will remain closed pending technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
Any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam video, and were traveling on the R132, at Gormanstown, between 5.45am and 6.45am this morning, are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ashbourne Garda Station on (01) 801 0600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
‘Devastating’
Sinn Féin TD for Meath East Darren O’Rourke has described the incident in his county as “devastating”.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives,” he said. “This shocking news comes just over a week after the devastating crash that took the lives of five young people in Dundalk.”
“I want to thank the emergency services at the scene and hope for a speedy recovery for all of those injured.”
“I know our local communities will rally around in support of those involved in the collision and their families, who no doubt will be in a complete state of shock at this time. We must stand in solidarity with the families during this devastating time,” he added.
Independent councillor Amanda Smith, who represents Ashbourne, said: “The whole community is in shock. Two people have died. It’s an awful thing to happen. I heard about the crash this morning from local people, then it was online. No one has said if they know anyone involved but everyone is absolutely saddened.
“There have been a number of road incidents in Meath and all over the country recently. It’s terrible. My condolences to everyone and to thank all those emergency services for what they did today. They’re fantastic. I’m thinking of those who’ve died today and their loved ones and we will be praying for them.”
Louth incident
Separately, emergency services attended the scene of a multi-vehicle car crash on the M1 in Co Louth, which closed part of the motorway for a time.
The incident took place shortly before 8.45am this morning near Junction 10 on the M1 northbound, just west of Drogheda.
The motorway northbound was closed between Junction 10 ((N51, Drogheda North) and Junction 11 (Monasterboice) for a several hours with all lanes affected and major delays for road users.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland advised road users to take alternative routes.
The incident was cleared by about 11am.
More to follow…
