Rush-hour accidents in Cork almost shut tunnel

Separate rush-hour accidents yesterday on either side of the South Ring carriageways almost forced the closure of the Jack Lynch Tunnel in Cork.

The accidents on the N40 were both close to the Rochestown slip road. They occurred on either sides of the dual carriageway within 15 minutes of each other.

Gardaí said they had considered shutting down one bore of the tunnel.

The first accident was reported just before 8.30am and the second, only 300 metres away on the adjacent carriageway.

Four vehicles were involved in one pile-up which left a car upturned on the verge.

In the other crash on the westbound lane, a hearse and a Saab convertible collided.

Garda Inspector Finbarr O’Sullivan of the Cork City Traffic Corps said only one lane remained open in each direction as emergency services tended to the injured and removed the wreckage.

He said, as a result, there was a considerable build-up of rush-hour traffic.

Insp O’Sullivan said at one stage gardaí considered closing the southbound bore of the tunnel and diverting traffic heading to the southside of the city down the Tivoli dual carriageway.

However, as traffic eased, the closure was not implemented.

The inspector said it was also fortunate a lot of people attending the Irish Open at Fota had already made the journey there before the accidents took place.

He said minor injuries were reported following the four-car collision and the accident scenes were cleared shortly after 10am.

Meanwhile, emergency services were also called to an accident at Sallybrook, Glanmire.

Gardaí in Mayfield said the accident involved a car and a van and it also resulted in minor injuries.