Woman killed, 18 hurt in Wexford crash as ice grips many counties

A woman was killed and 18 other people were injured today when a minibus overturned.

Several other vehicles also crashed in a pile-up at the scene on the N11 in Co Wexford.

The accidents happened at about 10am on the Gorey bypass as road safety chiefs warned motorists that icy roads around the country were making driving conditions treacherous.

An ambulance called to the scene of the crash skidded and overturned and gardaí said there were a number of other collisions as drivers tried to avoid the initial accident.

Cars skidded and crashed on both northbound and southbound lanes of the N11.

Gardaí said the body of the dead woman, aged in her 40s, was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital while the 18 other passengers were treated in Loughlinstown Hospital.

Both the AA and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) issued warnings and advice for motorists, with people in Laois, Offaly, Roscommon, Mayo and Galway urged not to make any unnecessary journeys.

Secondary roads were worst affected but main roads including the N6 near Craughwell, Co Galway, and the M1 north of Dublin were affected by ice where five cars were involved in an accident.

AA Roadwatch controller Nicola Hudson said: “Icy conditions continue to cause problems for motorists around the country.

“Road temperatures this morning were as low as minus 7C on many routes and despite road temperatures finally going above freezing by midday, there is still severe ice to contend with; especially on secondary roads, in housing estates and shaded areas.”

The RSA urged road users to take extra care as weather forecasts warned the cold snap looks set to continue into the first week of the new year.

“Road users are urged to check local weather and traffic reports before setting off on a journey. In particular road users should heed any Garda advice urging motorists not to make any unnecessary journeys,” a spokesman for the authority said.

Ms Hudson added: “When driving in icy conditions, remember that stopping distances are 10 times longer than normal, so keep a very safe distance away from any vehicle in front of you.

“Select second gear when pulling away, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.

“Speed is crucial in these conditions, especially when some routes have thawed but others are still treacherous, so try to maintain a constant speed, choosing the most suitable gear in advance to avoid having to change down while climbing a hill.”

Fine Gael’s road safety spokesman Shane McEntee claimed local councils were not adequately gritting roads and called on the Government to step in.

“Treacherous roads have already claimed lives at the weekend and this will continue to be a threat as long as severe weather conditions prevail,” the TD said.

“Despite the ongoing warnings of bad weather, local councils are not managing to do their jobs in making icy roads safe for motorists.

“This seems to be because funding has run out at a time when it is critical that councils have the resources to put in place essential road safety measures during adverse weather conditions, like the gritting of roads.”