Two have narrow escape as car hits bridge

TWO young motorists, whom gardaí believe were racing each other, were lucky to survive a high-speed crash on a bridge yesterday.

Gardaí said it was very lucky they weren’t dealing with a double fatality after the smash on Youghal Bridge just before 6am.

The two men are in their early 20s. One is from Ardmore, Co Waterford, and the other from Ballincollig, Co Cork.

They were recovering from their injuries in Waterford Hospital last night, and are helping gardaí with their enquiries.

A file is being prepared for the DPP.

It is understood several independent witnesses reported two cars overtaking other cars at high speed on the Killeagh to Youghal road earlier. Gardaí believe the same cars were involved in the accident.

A massive search and rescue operation was launched just before 6am yesterday after reports that a car had crashed through the barriers of Youghal Bridge and entered the Blackwater.

When gardaí and emergency services arrived on the scene, they found a smashed BMW close to the edge of the bridge.

There was no sign of the driver. Debris was strewn on the road.

The coastguard spent up to an hour searching the river and estuary before it was established that no vehicle had entered the water.

Meanwhile, gardaí who found a second number plate and some documentation on the bridge traced a second car.

A Seat Impreza was stopped by gardaí in Dungarvan later.

The two male occupants were taken to Waterford Regional Hospital with minor injuries.

Gardaí said last night they believe the two drivers were racing each other towards Dungarvan when the collision occurred on the bridge.

The BMW smashed into the bridge barrier. The driver of the Impreza stopped at the scene and took the driver of the BMW towards Waterford.

It is understood they may have been making their way to hospital.

Gardaí issued a warning to other young motorists last night about the dangers of speeding and road racing.

“I would appeal to young motorists to heed the warnings signs,” a senior garda spokesman said.

“Too many people are being killed on our roads.”