M9 Fatal Collision
Wrong-Way Driver Causes Fatal M9 Kildare Crash Leaving Multiple Dead and Several Injured
Key Points
The female driver and front-seat passenger of the second car were both in their 30s and were taken to Tallaght University Hospital in critical condition.
A rear-seat passenger, a woman in her 20s, was taken to St Luke's General Hospital in a serious condition, and a child passenger was taken to CHI at Crumlin in a serious condition.
The crash occurred on the M9 between Junction 3 and Junction 4 near Athy, around 3am Sunday, and the M9 northbound and southbound remained closed with local diversions in place.
Fiosrú noted the referral following a fatal road traffic incident and said its on-call investigators attended; its independent investigation relates to Garda involvement where a member of the public has died or been seriously injured.
Gardaà appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage from people in the vicinity, with requests to contact Athy Garda Station and the Garda Confidential Line.
A head-on crash on the M9 motorway in County Kildare has killed at least five people, after a car travelled the wrong way on the northbound carriageway and struck an oncoming vehicle at around 3am on Sunday. Examiner Live reports that a fifth person died following what had initially been confirmed as four fatalities, all young males.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly called the collision "horrific," warning that wrong-way driving on motorways is a growing danger, according to Herald Series. The M9 remains closed in both directions between Junctions 3 and 4, near Athy, as forensic investigators examine the scene.
Wrong-Way Driver Triggers Deadly 3am Collision
The crash happened between Junction 3 and Junction 4 on the M9 near Athy at around 3am on Sunday. One car was travelling north in the wrong direction on the northbound carriageway. It struck a second car head-on. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and local diversions were put in place on both carriageways.
Four young males in one of the vehicles died at the scene or shortly after. A fifth person later died from their injuries, according to Leeds Live. Several others remain in hospitals in critical or serious condition.
Child and Three Women Rushed to Hospital in Critical State
The female driver and front-seat passenger of the second car, both in their 30s, were taken to Tallaght University Hospital in critical condition. A woman in her 20s, who was a rear-seat passenger, was taken to St Luke's General Hospital in a serious condition.
A child who was also in the vehicle was taken to Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin in a serious condition. The range of hospitals involved reflects the severity of the injuries across multiple passengers in the second car.
Fiosrú Opens Independent Review Into Garda Involvement
Fiosrú, Ireland's Office of the Police Ombudsman, has been notified of the crash and launched an independent review. On-call investigators attended the scene. Fiosrú steps in whenever a member of the public dies or is seriously injured in an incident linked to Garda involvement, according to Herald Series.
The nature of Garda involvement has not been fully detailed by officials. However, the referral is standard procedure under Irish law when police actions or presence may be connected to a fatal or serious road incident.
Gardaà Appeal for Dashcam Footage as Investigation Continues
Gardaà are asking anyone who was in the area of the M9 near Athy around 3am on Sunday to come forward. They are particularly looking for dashcam footage that could help piece together how the wrong-way driver came to be on the northbound carriageway.
Witnesses can contact Athy Garda Station directly or call the Garda Confidential Line. A full forensic examination of the scene is planned. Garda Commissioner Kelly, quoted by Hackney Gazette, said the crash serves as a stark reminder of the deadly risk posed by wrong-way driving on Irish motorways.
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