Major update after 12 injured in 'traumatic' Kilkenny collision

The N77 has fully reopened to traffic following this morning's horrific collision that injured 12 people in County Kilkenny.

Gardaí continue to appeal for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the N77 in the vicinity of Ardloo at the time of the collision (10.20am) to come forward.

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Meanwhile, the school whose students were involved in today's collision has convened its critical incident team to support those affected by the traumatic event.

Coláiste Phobal Roscrea and Tipperary ETB issued a statement this evening saying the school community extended its thoughts and well wishes to those injured in this morning’s road crash in Kilkenny.

"A group of our Transition Year students at Coláiste Phobal Roscrea were travelling to Kilkenny when the collision took place between the bus they were travelling in and a truck. Eight students, two teachers and the drivers of both vehicles were hospitalised after the collision," it said.

"The students and teachers involved have received treatment for non-life threatening injuries at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny, with one student and one teacher still in hospital at this time. We would like to extend our best wishes to them, as well as the drivers of both vehicles, who are still receiving hospital treatment for their injuries.

"NEPS, the psychological support service of the Department of Education, are supporting the school, and the school’s Critical Incident Team has been convened. We will be working with staff and students affected to ensure they receive any necessary supports after experiencing this traumatic event."

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

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.

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick has since called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to 'thoroughly examine' the stretch of road.

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