Boy, 3, & grandparents dead in horror Tipperary crash as parents rushed to hospital with serious injuries
A YOUNG boy and his grandparents have tragically died following a horror road crash last night.
His parents have been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a car hit a wall while driving near Cashel, in Co. .
The fatal single-vehicle collision happened shortly before 9pm this evening in the Windmill Knockbulloge area.
Gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene once the alarm was raised.
The boy's body was removed from the site and taken to Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel.
A male and a female back seat passengers, understood to be the infant's grandparents, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The man who was driving the car and a woman who was in the front passenger seat have both been rushed to Tipperary University Hospital with serious injuries.
A number of fire engines, ambulances and several garda cars attended the road in Windmill Knockbulloge, which will remain closed overnight.
And Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have been requested to conduct an examination of the scene.
An incident room has been established at Cahir Garda Station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation.
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Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.
WITNESS APPEAL
A spokesperson said: "Gardaí can confirm three fatalities as a result of this collision.
"The adult male and adult female rear seat passengers, both aged in their 40s, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
"Their bodies have been removed to University Hospital Waterford where a post mortem will take place in due course.
"A three-year-old infant boy, was also fatally injured during the collision; the body of the infant boy has been taken to Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel.
"The male and female, aged in their 20s, front seat occupants of the car have been taken to Tipperary University Hospital where they continue to be treated for serious injuries."
The road in Windmill Knockbulloge is currently closed to traffic with local diversions in place this morning.
Locals expressed their sympathies for the victims of the awful tragedy.
Tipperary TD Michael Lowry said "there is an enormous sense of shock" in the Cashel area.
He added: "It is understood that two grandparents and their 3-year-old grandchild have lost their lives in the single-vehicle crash, which occurred just outside the town.
"Two other adult passengers have been removed to hospital for treatment."
Tipperary-based priest Fr Michael Toomey offered his condolences to those affected.
He said: “Our Tipperary county suffers again. Thoughts and prayers for those who have died in tonight’s tragedy in Cashel."
"MORE HEARTBREAK'
Local Independent TD Mattie McGrath said: “More heartbreak for our community as a number of people are believed to have been killed in a crash near Cashel.
"My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved, their families and the emergency services dealing with another tragic event.”
Local Fine Gael councillor Declan Burgess said it was “awful news”.
He added: “My thoughts and prayers are with the families involved.
"It's a devastating blow for our community."
Sinn Fein rep David Dunne said: “More sad news for Tipperary.
"A number of people have died in a road crash in Co Tippearary this evening.
"May they rest in peace."
FATAL CRASH
The incident comes after four young people lost their lives in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, last Friday when the car in which they were travelling to a Leaving Cert celebration hit a wall on Friday night
Three 18-year-old students - Zoey Coffey, Nicole Murphy and Grace McSweeney - and Ms McSweeney's 24-year-old brother Luke died in the horror crash in Clonmel.
The tragedy has drawn the sympathies of the nation, with a vigil on Sunday night drawing around 2,000 people who gathered to mourn the loss of four young locals.
Books of condolences also opened at the local council offices at County Hall in Clonmel yesterday for the four victims as their funeral details were released earlier today.
Grace and Luke's joint funeral will be held at 11.30am on Friday at St Peter and Paul's Church in the town.
Nicole will be buried on Thursday following a funeral mass at midday at St John the Baptist Church in her native Kilkash.
While Zoey's funeral mass will take place on Saturday at 11.30am, also at St Peter and Paul's Church.
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Around 2,000 people gathered in Clonmel on Sunday evening for a vigil for those who died.
Grieving family members and classmates of the victims were among those who attended the emotional event at Kickham Plaza.