Road in Kilkenny 'needs to be examined' where horror collision occurred

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick has called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to 'thoroughly examine' the stretch of road where 12 people were injured earlier today in Kilkenny.

"Safety concerns have been raised about this stretch of N77 from Henebery's Cross to Oldtown for years now," he told Kilkenny Live.

Gardaí continue witness appeal after horror collision injures 12 people in Kilkenny

"More safety features are needed on and around Dinan Bridge and that whole stretch of the N77 and we need TII to listen."

Cllr Fitzpatrick said that the local community is 'still in a state of shock' but added that it is also 'such a relief' that nobody was critically injured.

"I'd like to also pay tribute to our emergency forces, gardaí and air support for their speedy response and hope everybody makes a full recovery," he added.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal for any witnesses of this morning's horror collision in Kilkenny to come forward.

Road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the N77 in the vicinity of Ardloo at the time of the collision are asked to make it available to investigating gardaí.

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted shortly after 10.20am following a collision involving a lorry and a school bus on the N77 at Ardloo, County Kilkenny this morning, Thursday, December 14, 2023.

The driver of the lorry, a man in his 40s was airlifted to Tallaght University Hospital with serious injuries. The bus driver, a male in is 50s was removed to Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. 

Eight children and two adult passengers on the bus were removed from the scene by ambulance to St Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny for treatment and assessment. Their injuries are described as not life-threatening.

Traffic diversions are in place and the scene is currently being examined by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 7775000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.