Man in critical condition following road crash in Meath

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the collision to come forward (PA)

A man is in a critical condition in hospital following a road crash in Co Meath.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the three-vehicle incident on the R132 at Smithstown, Julianstown, during the early hours of Saturday.

A first collision occurred at approximately 02.06am. Two vehicles were travelling southbound towards Dublin when they collided.

The driver of the first vehicle, a man aged in his 50s, was uninjured.

Both vehicles were subsequently pulled in to the left hand side of the road.

Approximately 10 minutes later, a third vehicle collided with the rear of the second vehicle.

The driver of the second vehicle, a man aged in his 50s, was standing at the rear of his vehicle at the time of the collision.

He sustained serious injuries and was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda where he remains in a critical condition.

The driver of the third vehicle, a man aged in his 40s, was uninjured.

The scene is currently preserved for examination by Forensic Collision Investigators. Diversions are in place in the area.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have been travelling on the R132 in the Smithstown, Julianstown area between 01.20am and 02.20am this morning to come forward.