Man killed after car hits roadside ditch in Westmeath as gardai close road and appeal for witnesses
A MAN has been killed after the car he was driving left the road and slammed into a ditch.
Gardai were alerted to the incident, which happened on the R395 at Teevrevagh, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, at around 6.40pm this evening.
The collision involved a single vehicle which had collided with a roadside ditch.
The male driver of the car, who was aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was the only person in the car and his body remains at the scene tonight.
The R395 at Teevrevagh, Castlepollard is currently closed with local diversions in place.
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A technical examination by a Garda forensic team will be conducted tonight, gardai said.
They are also appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Teevrevagh area are asked to make this footage available to them.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Mullingar Garda Station on 044 938 4000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
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Another tragedy
It comes after another tragedy in Co Mayo earlier this evening.
A mother and young daughter were killed when the car in which they were travelling collided with a lorry.
The accident occurred shortly before 6pm on the N26 at Callow between Foxford and Swinford.
It is understood the bodies remain at the scene this evening as a major emergency operation, involving paramedics, gardai and fire brigade personnel, continues.
'Horrific' scene
The N26 is closed pending the completion of a garda forensic collision investigation of the crash scene which has been described by one local as “horrific”.
The route is expected to be closed with diversions in place until further notice.
The victims are understood to be from the local central Co Mayo area.
A garda spokesperson said in a statement: "Gardaí are currently at the scene of a fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Lismoran, Foxford, County Mayo this evening, Tuesday 2nd July 2024. The collision, which involved a car and a lorry, occurred on the N26 at approximately 5.45pm.
Fatal injuries
"The driver of the car, a female aged in her 40s, and a passenger of the car, a female child, were fatally injured in the collision. The bodies of the deceased remain at the scene.
"The driver of the lorry was taken to hospital with injuries that are understood to be non-life threatening.
"The scene of the collision on the N26 (Foxford to Swinford Road) is currently closed and local diversions are in place. A technical examination is being conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.
"Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
"Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N26 between Swinford and Foxford between 5.00pm and 6.00pm on Tuesday evening are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station on 096 20560, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station."