Infant believed to be among four killed following three-car crash on Galway motorway

The M6 was closed to traffic in both directions at junction 14 and junction 15 due to the collision. 

An infant is believed to be among four people killed in a three-car crash just outside of Ballinasloe, Co Galway on Thursday evening.

Following the deaths of six people on Irish roads in the space of 24 hours, the Road Safety Authority and Gardaí are issuing an appeal to all roads users to take greater care.

The incident happened at around 7.40pm on the M6 westbound approach at Poolboy.

Emergency services were at the scene of the collision, about two kilometres outside of the town within minutes.

They were pronounced dead at the scene, and their bodies were removed to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

A post mortem examination of the remains will be carried out at a later date.

No formal identification of the deceased has taken place at this time.

At least one other person has been hospitalised with minor injuries.

It is believed a car had been travelling the wrong way down the motorway and hit two other vehicles.

A technical examination of the scene has concluded and the road has now reopened fully.

Motorists are advised to use alternative routes if possible and to follow traffic diversions that are in place.

Gardaí are appealing to any witnesses, particularly any road users who may have dashcam footage and were travelling on the M6 at Poolboy, Ballinasloe, at the time to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballinasloe Garda Station on 090 9631890, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Sam Waide, CEO of the RSA, said these deaths should serve as a reminder of the dangers when using the roads.

“I would appeal to road users to slow down, drive at the right speed for the conditions, and watch out for vulnerable road users," he said.

Hazardous road conditions are likely in the coming days as Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rainfall and localised flooding.

Paula Hilman, Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing and Community Engagement said every fatal or serious injury collision has a "devastating impact" on family, friends and communities.

"As we think of and send our sympathies to the families and friends of those who have been killed on our roads, I would ask every road user to play their part to make our roads safer and to think about their safety, and that of other road users,” she said.

A total of 92 people have died in fatal road traffic crashes to date in 2021, three more when compared with the same period last year.