A 12-year-old boy died after a train and car collided at a level crossing in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, shortly after 8.45pm last night. gardaí and emergency services went to the user-operated crossing in Kiltybo, where the road stayed closed.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. A man in his late 40s, who was driving the car, was taken by ambulance to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Father Stephen Farragher in Ballyhaunis
Father Stephen Farragher said the boy was coming back from training when the crash occurred. He said: “There’s a real air of shock and sadness”. He also said: “For all involved it’s just a terrible, terrible time.”
He added: “The thoughts and prayers of everybody in this community and beyond are with the family at the moment, because it’s every parent’s nightmare.”
Ballyhaunis GAA Club stops activity
Alma Gallagher described Ballyhaunis this morning as “united in grief” and said the family was “at the heart” of the local GAA club. Ballyhaunis GAA Club then suspended all activities, training and matches until further notice.
All passengers on the train safely disembarked and onward transport was arranged. A technical examination of the scene will be carried out by forensic collision investigators, and the road remains closed while that work continues.
The crash left one family grieving and another injured in hospital, while the train journey ended safely for everyone on board. What happens next at the crossing is the forensic examination of the scene, with the closed road still blocking access in Kiltybo.
