The communities of Carrickmacross, Drumconrath, and Lanarkshire are in mourning after a devastating car crash claimed the lives of five young adults near Dundalk, Ireland, on Saturday night.
A Fatal Collision on the L3168
The tragic incident occurred just after 9pm on the L3168 road outside Dundalk in County Louth. A Volkswagen Golf, carrying six people in their 20s, collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser.
Chloe Hipson, 21, from Bellshill in Lanarkshire, Scotland, was pronounced dead at the scene. She lost her life alongside four others: Chloe McGee, 23, Shay Duffy, 21, Alan McCluskey, 23, and Dylan Commins, 23.
A sixth passenger in the Golf, a man also in his 20s, was taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life threatening. The group is believed to have been travelling to Dundalk for a night out.
Heartbreaking Tributes for a 'Beautiful Soul'
In the wake of the tragedy, an outpouring of grief has surfaced for Chloe Hipson, remembered by friends and family as a 'beautiful soul'.
North Motherwell FC, where Chloe's older brother Ryan is a veteran player, announced they will hold a minute's silence in her memory. The club posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, stating they were 'devastated to hear the tragic news of the untimely passing' and that the Hipson family holds a 'special place in the hearts of everyone at NMFC'.
Online, friends shared their sorrow. Elizabeth Elliott wrote: 'Absolutely devastating news of Chloe Hipson passing away last night. Such a lovely girl taken far too soon.' Lee Connolly added: 'Absolutely broken. A beautiful soul and a devastating loss.'
Investigation and Emergency Response
The two occupants of the Toyota Land Cruiser, a man and a woman, were also transported to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
An Garda Síochána has launched a full investigation into the circumstances of the fatal collision. Garda Superintendent Charlie Armstrong addressed the media near the scene on Sunday, expressing his condolences to the families of the deceased.
'The scene was very difficult, in adverse weather conditions, and the professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown to the five deceased was exemplary,' he stated.
Superintendent Armstrong emphasised the profound impact of the event, calling it a 'shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk.' He appealed for any person with information about the road traffic accident to contact the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.
