A 12-year-old boy has died after a train hit the car he was driving at a level crossing in Ireland.
The collision happened shortly after 8.45pm on Thursday in County Mayo, with the boy pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the car, a man in his late forties, was taken to hospital by ambulance. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Passengers on the train were able to disembark safely and onward transport was arranged, Irish police said.
A technical examination of the scene will be conducted by Forensic Collision Investigators.
The road remained closed on Friday morning and the boy’s remains were taken to Mayo University Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The police are calling on witnesses to this incident to come forward.
The incident resulted in ‘significant disruption’ to the line between Westport and Athlone.
The collision was the second disruption on the Westport-Dublin line on Thursday.
The fire brigade closed the accident scene today
Bus transfers were being arranged for passengers when a train hit a tractor at a level crossing at the Meelaghans, between Portarlington and Tullamore, at around 3.50pm.
The Health and Safety Authority, which investigates workplace incidents, was informed.
In a post on social media platform
It later read: ‘Iarnród Éireann extends our deepest condolences to the family of the young boy who tragically died last night at a level crossing in Kiltybo near Ballyhaunis.’
Replacement bus transfers operated from Westport to Athlone on Friday morning, with services from Ballina to Manulla continuing to Claremorris.
The line between Westport and Athlone will remain closed ‘until further notice’.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien described the incident as ‘terrible news’.
“My thoughts and deepest condolences obviously go out to that family, the loss of a young 12-year-old boy, it’s an absolute tragedy,” he said.
“A full investigation is currently underway, both through An Garda Síochána and our rail safety investigators.”
He said both the boy’s death and the second incident would be investigated.
“We have a very good safety record here in Ireland, despite what happened yesterday,” he said.
‘Every incident, no matter how serious or how small, is investigated in detail.
“We have skilled people to do that in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, and that will be done as a priority.
‘But it is extremely rare, and I cannot remember two incidents on one line in one day.
‘As I said, our thoughts are really with the family and this terrible loss for them.’
