'No beating around the bush, I am very lucky to be alive. I came within a hair’s breadth of not being'

Following a four-car crash in Cork City, Mr O'Callaghan suffered a broken back, broken ribs and a punctured lung, and spent several weeks in Cork University Hospital

Gareth O’Callaghan: 'If it hadn’t been for the emergency services and for all of the staff at CUH and the South Infirmary, I think things could have been a whole lot worse.'

Veteran broadcaster Gareth O’Callaghan said he is very lucky to be alive after a serious car crash earlier this year as he issued an impassioned road safety plea ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

Mr O’Callaghan made his comments as he stood in for presenter PJ Coogan on The Opinion Line on Cork’s 96fm on Thursday for the first time since February.