An elderly man has died while another person remains in critical condition following a two car collision this morning.
The accident took place on the M8 Dublin to Cork road, between Fermoy and Cork city, at around 11.30am on Friday, December 30.
One of the cars was travelling against the flow of traffic on the motorway.
The man in his 70s was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the other vehicle, a man in his late 20s, was taken to University Hospital Cork with serious injuries.
A Garda statement read: “Gardai and the emergency services are at the scene of a two vehicle collision on the M8 motorway, at Rathcormac, Co. Cork. ”The collision occurred on the southbound carriageway of the M8 motorway at junction 16 at approximately 11.30am when a 4×4 vehicle and a van collided head on.
“The driver of the 4×4, a man aged in his 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the van, a male believed to be in his late 20s, was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Cork.
“A traffic management plan is in place and southbound traffic is being diverted away from the collision site.
“It is expected that the road will remain closed for the remainder of the afternoon and traffic updates will follow.
“Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have been requested to attend the scene and the local coroner has been notified.”
Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Fermoy Garda Station on 025 82100 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.