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A MAN IN his mid-20s has died following a road traffic collision in Westmeath this afternoon.
The victim was seriously injured when his motorbike collided with a van on the R390 near Loughnavalley in Westmeath at about 4.30pm.
He was taken by ambulance to the nearby Mullingar hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
He is the fifth motorcyclist to be killed on Irish roads since 1 January.
The driver of the van was also admitted for treatment but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
Forensic investigators are currently examining the scene and the road is closed to traffic. Local diversions are in place and an appeal for witnesses has been made by gardaí.
Late last month, gardaí and the RSA issued an appeal to motorists to take extra care on roads as more people have lost their lives so far this year than in the corresponding period of 2012.
Although 162 people tragically lost their lives in 2012, it was the lowest figure ever recorded since records began. According to statistics, Ireland has seen a reduction in road deaths every year since 2006, which has led to it becoming one of the safest countries in Europe for road safety.
But gardaí have warned that the country may end up with more than 162 road deaths by the end of 2013 if this upsurge in fatalities continues.
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Just shocking
Half a billion animals have died so far. These bushfires will see the end to many species. It’s unprecedented. The devastation to all of the communities wiped out, reading stories of masses of people staying on beaches so that they can easily jump into the water is absolutely frightening. All we can hope for is rain and a drop in temperatures. As many experts have said, nature started this fire, nature will end it.
@Sirius: Makes you appreciate dreary old Ireland
@Sirius: And the thing is its only getting started, sooner or later they will figure out burning coal is not a good idea and there is a good chance the country will be one very large desert in the future….they have been warned like us all, its up to them to make the change.
Whoever or whatever is to blame …..seeing and hearing about the animals breaks my heart.
I saw a picture today of a dead kangaroo. Burnt alive, trapped in a fenced area. I think it will haunt me forever :(
This is a tragedy.
@moneymaid: Oh no :( I feel the same. Humans can leave their houses to escape to safety but the animals can’t. It’s awful.
It’s hell on earth.
Ways to donate to all the amazing workers trying to mitigate the effects of this catastrophe https://7news.com.au/news/bushfires/bushfires-in-australia-how-you-can-help-c-629603
Heartbreaking.
Devastating. Poor animals.. people should wise up and starting making changes. We are destroying our world. Reduce or eliminate the intake of meat for a start.
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