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Four people died in a multiple vehicle collision in Co Galway on Thursday night, gardaí have confirmed.
The incident, which involved three vehicles, happened at 7.40pm on the M6 motorway at Poolboy, Ballinasloe.
Garda sources said three people travelling in one vehicle were among the dead; a couple and their infant child.
The other person who died was the driver, and sole occupant, of another vehicle that was driven the wrong way onto the motorway.
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Gardaí believe that driver accidentally drove onto the motorway in the wrong direction and collided head-on with the vehicle carrying the couple and their child.
The driver of a third vehicle was injured, and remains in hospital. Their injuries are not life-threatening.
Debris from the crash flew through the air and hit the third vehicle, with the driver injured in the process, it is understood.
Garda sources said while a major investigation into the multiple fatality crash was under way, it was at an early stage and it would take some time to establish the cause of the crash and to formally identity those who died.
Gardaí said the victims’ bodies had been removed to nearby Portiuncula Hospital for postmortem examinations which will be conducted at a later date.
The M6 in both directions between Junction 14 and 15 was closed for a period to allow forensic collision investigators examine the scene. Local diversions were put in place.
Gardaí appealed to witnesses to come forward.
They are also asking that any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the M6 at Poolboy, Ballinasloe, at the time to make this footage available to gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballinasloe Garda station on 090 9631890, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) issued an urgent appeal to all road users to take greater care on the roads.
Hazardous road conditions are likely in the coming days as Met Éireann has issued weather warnings for heavy rainfall and localised flooding.
“It’s been a dark 24 hours on Irish roads which has seen an appalling loss of life” said Sam Waide, CEO of the Road Safety Authority.
“Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been killed. These deaths should serve to remind us that everyone is at risk when using the roads. We are at risk at any time of the day or week. Life is fragile and using the roads is one of the most dangerous things we do each day, and we must never forget this.”
Mr Waide appealed to road users to “slow down, drive at the right speed for the conditions, and watch out for vulnerable road users.
“Don’t drive when impaired through drink, drugs or fatigue and always wear a seatbelt and ensure passengers are wearing theirs too, no matter how short the trip,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner, Paula Hilman, said it had been “a horrific 24 hours on the roads” and there had been an increase in road deaths this year compared to the same period last year.
“Road tragedies affect all parts of the country. Every fatal or serious injury collision has a devastating impact on family, friends and communities. As we think of and send our sympathies to the families and friends of those who have been killed on our roads, I would ask every road user to play their part to make our roads safer and to think about their safety, and that of other road users.”
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton extended her “deepest sympathies” to those affected and echoed the advice of both the RSA and An Garda Síochána in appealing to all road users to take great care on the road.
A total of 92 people have died on the roads to date in 2021, three more compared to the same period last year.