SHOCK TRAGEDY
‘Desperately dark day’ as two girls and mum die in horror Mayo smash after car & fuel tanker collide in head-on crash
The vehicles, travelling in opposite directions, crashed around 2pm
TWO children and their mum died today when their car collided with a fuel tanker on the N17 in a “desperately dark day” for Co Mayo.
The vehicles, travelling in opposite directions, crashed around 2pm at Castlegar, near Claremorris, Co Mayo.
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The two girls and their mother, believed to be from west Galway, died at the scene.
The truck driver’s white Scania lorry left the road and careered into a field after the collision on a straight stretch of road.
He is not believed to have been injured.
As darkness fell today three hearses arrived to take the bodies of the deceased to Mayo University Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Around two hours earlier, at 4pm, a priest had left the scene after spending some time with those who had died.
Local Sinn Fein Councillor Gerry Murray said the accident, just days before Easter, had caused huge upset in the area.
He told the Irish Sun: “It is a desperately dark day for the area, people are shocked and I’m shocked myself at this news.
“There’s just a feeling of disbelief and numbness that fatalities of this nature could happen before the Easter weekend.
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“For a family to be impacted this way is beyond words really.
“I don’t think any words can assuage the grief of the family involved.”
Cathoirleach of Mayo County Council Councillor Michael Loftus noted that the accident came hours after a couple in their 60s in Swinford, less than 30 kilometres away, had died in a blaze at their home.
'Darkest days'
He said: “March 26, 2024 will go down as one of the darkest days ever in Mayo.
“Our hearts go out to all the bereaved families.”
New Fine Gael leader Simon Harris also paid tribute to those who tragically died today.
He said: "A devastating day for the people of Mayo. Thinking of the families and friends of the woman and two girls who have lost their lives in Castlegar and of Tom and Eileen Mahon, who died in a fire in Swinford.
"A dark day. I know the community will rally to support all those grieving."
'Communities will rally'
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh also reflected on a "very dark day" for the county.
The Midlands North-West rep said: "A very dark day back home in Mayo. I’m thinking of the five lives lost and the families left behind.
"Our communities will rally."
The accident came on a day of heavy rainfall in the county with reports of flooding on some secondary roads.
In a statement this evening Gardai said Forensic Collision Investigators would move in to examine all the details at the scene.
They advised that part of the road would remain closed for a time and that diversions were in place.
Witness appeal
The statement added: “Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 9372080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
“An Garda Síochana is aware that images of the crash scene are currently in circulation. Out of respect for the family, we are requesting these images are not shared.”
The horrific incident is the second serious crash on the same stretch of the N17 in the past two weeks.
Road tragedies
A three-vehicle collision on March 11 around a kilometre from the scene of today’s accident saw a mother and daughter treated for injuries.
Fifty-two people have lost their lives on Irish roads between January 1 and today.
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That amounts to 10 more than for the same period last year.
A total of 14 people have died on Irish roads in March alone.