KILTYBO — A 12-year-old boy died Thursday night after a train collided with a car at a level crossing in Kiltybo, near Ballyhaunis in County Mayo. Emergency services arrived shortly after 8:45 p.m.
The boy, a passenger in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene. The car's driver, a man in his late 40s, was taken to a hospital by ambulance with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
Gardai, the Irish police, confirmed the death Friday morning. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators will conduct a technical examination of the scene. The local coroner has been notified, and the boy's body has been moved to the mortuary at Mayo University Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
All passengers on the train safely disembarked. Irish Rail provided alternative transport for those affected.
Gardai have appealed for witnesses, particularly road users and pedestrians with camera footage, including dash-cam video, who were in the Kiltybo area between 8:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3. Anyone with information can contact Ballina Garda Station at (096) 20560, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
The collision disrupted the rail line between Westport and Athlone. Earlier Thursday, a train struck a tractor at a level crossing between Portarlington and Tullamore, and a man was hospitalized.
On Friday morning, replacement bus transfers operated from Westport to Athlone, and services from Ballina to Manulla ran through to Claremorris. The rail line between Westport and Athlone remained closed until further notice.
