Updates:
Sunday 1.40pm – The R458 has now been reopened following yesterday’s fatal collision.
Saturday, 7.30pm – Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in County Clare on Saturday afternoon.
Shortly before 2pm, Gardaí and emergency services responded to a single-vehicle collision involving a tractor on the R458 at Bunnahow, County Clare (north of Crusheen). The sole occupant of the tractor, a male in his teens (16), was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.
The road remains closed to facilitate an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local diversions are currently in place. The local Coroner has been notified and the deceased has since been removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Limerick where a a post-mortem examination will be arranged.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. Road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the R458 between Gort and Crusheen around the time of the collision are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Investigations are ongoing.
A tractor run scheduled to take place in Ballyea this evening was cancelled after news of the tragedy spread.
Posts on the Light Up Ballyea Tractor Run and Ballyea GAA Club Facebook pages confirmed that the event had been ‘cancelled.’ It’s also understood that the young man was a player with the club.
Earlier: Emergency services are the scene of a serious road traffic collision on the R458 Crusheen to Gort road on the Clare/Galway border.
The single vehicle collision occurred shortly before 2.00pm on the old N18 at Bunnahow, about 7 kilometres from Crusheen close to the turn off for Tubber village. It’s understood the incident involved a tractor.
National Ambulance Service paramedics and Gardaí responded to the incident along with units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Ennis station along with crews from Galway Fire and Rescue Service based at Gort.
The road is currently closed at Bunnahow where the scene will be preserved overnight.