Woman, 40s, dies after car enters River Lee as two children rescued

The incident occurred on Friday night when the car ended up in the river at Kennedy Quay

The incident occurred at around 8.45pm when the car ended up in the river at Kennedy Quay. Picture: Eimer McAuley

A woman has died after a car entered the River Lee in Cork City on Friday night.

Two children, believed to be aged 12 and 10, were recovered from the water and taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident occurred at around 8.45pm when the car ended up in the river at Kennedy Quay.

Gardaí said that the body of a woman in her 40s was later removed from the water.

The woman’s body was taken to Cork University Hospital where a post-mortem will take place. The results of the post-mortem will determine the course of the investigation, a spokesperson said.

A dive team from the Irish Naval Service attended the scene alongside a large presence of emergency service personnel, including Crosshaven Coastguard and Mallow Search and Rescue. 

Two children were retrieved from the vehicle. Picture: Eimer McAuley

Several people who saw the incident unfolding contacted the emergency services.

The Coastguard 117 helicopter from Waterford and Cork Missing Persons Search and Recovery joined gardaí and four units of Cork City Fire Service in the rescue operation.

Gardaí added that they are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the incident.