Several people have died and others have been seriously injured following a head-on collision on the M9 motorway in County Kildare, Ireland, early on Sunday morning (August 16).
Crash details
Irish police, the Gardaí, confirmed that the incident involved two cars travelling in opposite directions. One car was reportedly driving the wrong way on the M9 northbound carriageway. The collision occurred between junctions 3 and 4 at approximately 3am.
Emergency services were alerted to a vehicle travelling southbound on the M9 northbound carriageway. The vehicle collided head-on with another car.
Injuries and hospitalisations
The female driver and front-seat passenger of the second car, both aged in their 30s, were taken to Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin, where they remain in critical condition. A female rear-seat passenger, aged in her 20s, was taken to St Luke’s General Hospital in County Kilkenny and is in a serious condition. A child passenger was taken to Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, and is also in a serious condition.
Road closures and investigation
The M9 remains closed between junctions 3 and 4 in both directions, with local diversions in place. A Garda forensic collision examination will take place. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, has been notified. A statement from Fiosrú said: “The referral was made following a fatal road traffic incident on the M9. One of Fiosrú’s on-call team of investigators attended the scene and its independent investigation is ongoing. In line with its statutory remit, Fiosrú’s investigation relates to incidents involving contact with gardaí where a member of the public has died or been seriously injured.”
