Four students die in Galway crash

Garda traffic corps were today examining a stretch of road where four young women were killed in a horrific crash.

The crash happened on the N17 north of Tuam, Co Galway last night when the car the women were travelling in crashed into a lorry.

Three of the women died at the scene – a notorious accident black spot – while a fourth was taken to Mayo General Hospital, where doctors were unable to save her.

A 21-year-old woman, believed to be the driver of the car, is fighting for her life in hospital.

The five women are all understood to have been studying arts at NUI Galway.

The 42-year-old driver of the lorry was also taken to hospital with injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening.

The stretch of road between the villages of Ballindine, Co Mayo, and Milltown in Co Galway remained sealed off as gardaí investigated the scene.

The cause of the crash is not yet known although driving conditions in the area had been poor with very heavy rain.

Meanwhile a 58-year-old woman died in a single vehicle crash yesterday morning in Williamstown, Co Galway.

A five-year-old girl also in the car was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A 31-year-old man also died in Longford yesterday after the car he was driving crashed into another vehicle at Agharra at about 2.30pm.

The tragedies bring to 211 the number of people killed on the country’s road so far this year, down 40 on the same period last year.