Two men die in unrelated incidents in Donegal

A farmer died when his tractor toppled over after colliding with a car in a freak incident in Co Donegal today.

The man died instantly following the collision on the N13 at Ballintra outside Donegal Town around 10am.

The man killed has been named locally as Christy Lipsett from Cashel in Rossnowlagh.

Gardaí sealed off the area and crash collision investigators carried out a full examination of the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was unhurt in the crash.

A spokesman confirmed the farmer died at the scene but that the driver of the car was uninjured.

The spokesman said: “Gardaí are investigating a fatal road traffic collision involving a tractor and car on the N15 at Ballintra, Co. Donegal this morning, 8th November 2013.

“The driver of tractor, a man in his early 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of car was not injured.

“Garda forensic collision investigators are carrying out an examination at the scene and diversions are in place in the area. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071 9858530.”

There was some confusion following the crash after reports of another body being found close to the scene at the same time.

It later emerged that the body of a second man had been found some miles away at Ballinacarragh, Ballintra.

This evening the man was named as Pat McCafferty, in his 50s, and originally from Scotland but who had been living locally for a number of years.

His body was found in a ditch but gardaí say the death is accidental and the incidents are not related.

Local councillor Brendan Travers said it was a dark day for Ballintra. “My sympathies go to the families of both men. A lot of people are in shock around here.

“One death is bad enough but two on the one day in such a small community has left people in a state of disbelief,” he said.