Torrential rain may have been factor in fatal accident

Torrential rain may have been a factor in the death of a 23-year-old woman, from a well-known north Cork business family, whose car was in collision with a truck on a main road on the outskirts of Cork City.

The accident happened on the main Cork-Mallow road (N20) shortly before 7.30am yesterday.

Gardaí withheld the name of the deceased due to some relatives being abroad. However, the woman was named locally last night as Mairead O’Connell from Lombardstown, a daughter of Mallow auctioneer Tom O’Connell.

Gardaí believe her 03-registered Opel Astra was exiting the junction for Grenagh village and attempting to turn south to Cork when her car collided with a truck travelling in the opposite direction.

A fire brigade crew from Ballyvolane used cutting equipment to free her from the vehicle.

She was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital (CUH) but was pronounced dead a short time later.

A section of the Cork-Limerick national road was closed while Garda forensic collision Investigators carried out a thorough technical examination of the scene, evidence from which will be used at an inquest into the woman’s death.

An autopsy was carried out at CUH yesterday.

Diversions were put in place and the busy route was reopened at 2pm.

Superintendent Con Cadogan said the weather at the time could have been a contributory factor. It was raining heavily and visibility was poor.

He said gardaí had spoken to some drivers who had witnessed the accident but believed there were other witnesses who had yet to come forward.

“I am asking anybody who saw this accident to contact us as soon as possible,” said Supt Cadogan.

* Witnesses are asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station at 021 4946200 or Blarney Garda Station at 021 4385111.