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'Up to four killed' in horror crash as other victims were family heading to airport

More information has come to light regarding the horror the horror crash on the M9 in Co Kildare as it is believed up to four people have died and four others have been seriously injured

Up to four people have tragically died in a crash involving a car allegedly driving in the wrong direction on a motorway in Co Kildare, according to sources. Four others in another vehicle, which included a child, have been left seriously injured as they were reportedly heading to the airport.

A garda spokesperson said two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision on the northbound M9. Garda said they are investigating the circumstances of the crash at junction 3 at about 3am on Sunday (August 16).

Emergency services were alerted to a vehicle travelling southbound on the M9 northbound carriageway.

The vehicle was travelling between junctions 3 and 4 when it collided head-on with another car. The wreckage of the crash was visible on the motorway on Sunday morning.

[Two-vehicle collision on the M9 in Co Kildare]

Reports suggest up to four people have died in a two-vehicle collision on the M9 in Co Kildare(Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)

A garda spokesperson said "A number of fatalities have occurred" but are yet to confirm how many.

However, sources to the Irish Mirror claim that up to four people have died and we all in one of the vehicles. The source also claimed to the publication that they were in the car that was allegedly travelling the wrong way down the motorway.

The spokesperson added female driver and front-seat passenger, both aged in their 30s, of the second car have been taken to Tallaght University Hospital and both remain in critical condition.

A female rear-seat passenger, aged in her 20s, was taken to St Lukes General Hospital and is in a serious condition.

The third passenger, a child, has been taken to the Childrens Health Ireland at Crumlin and is in a serious condition.

[Suitcases by one of the vehicles at the scene on the M9 northbound at Junction 3 in Co Kildare,]

Reports suggest that the four people injured are from the same family(Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)

According to Cork Beo, It is understood that the four other people injured in the two-vehicle crash were a family who were on their way to Dublin Airport.

The M9 from junction 3 to junction 4 northbound and southbound remains closed with local diversions in place.

A garda forensic collision examination will take place. Garda are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward.

Fiosr, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, has been notified. A statement from Fiosr said: The referral was made following a fatal road traffic incident on the M9.

One of Fiosrs on-call team of investigators attended the scene and its independent investigation is ongoing.

In line with its statutory remit, Fiosrs investigation relates to incidents involving contact with garda where a member of the public has died or been seriously injured.

[Crash on the M9]

Police are yet to confirm the number of fatalities (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)

The statement added: A referral does not necessarily mean a garda or garda have been accused of wrongdoing.

Instead, it means that Fiosr should independently investigate the incident to ascertain whether or not the act or omission of a garda or garda may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person.

As the matter is now under investigation, pursuant to section 208(1)(b) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, Fiosr cannot make any further comment.

Sinn Fin TD for Kildare South, Shnagh N Raghallaigh said: People woke this morning to the devastating news of lives lost and others critically injured following a collision on the M9 motorway.

The scenes are absolutely catastrophic, and my deepest sympathies go out to the families of those who have lost their lives, and for those who remain in a critical condition in hospital.

My heart also goes out to the first responders and all of those working in our emergency services who were met with the most horrific of scenes this morning.

The information we have learnt about the circumstances of this collision so far are disturbing - we know that one car was tracked by Garda travelling down the wrong side of the road, and that Fiosr will launch its own investigation as a result of this.

In the meantime, investigating Garda must immediately be furnished with all necessary resources to carry out their own investigation, and I appeal to anyone with information about the crash or who has dashcam footage to contact Garda as soon as possible.

This loss of life is colossal and the effect those losses will have on their friends and families is incalculable. My thoughts are with all affected. Our state services and communities must support them in every way possible.

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