Man dies in two-car collision between Athlone and Ballymahon

UPDATED: 8.50pm

A man in his 60s has been killed in a two-vehicle collision on the N55 at The Pigeons, between Athlone and Ballymahon.

The crash occurred at approximately 11am today (Thursday).

The deceased was driving one of the two cars involved in the collision, and had a male passenger in 80s with him. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and his body was taken to Tullamore hospital, where a post-mortem will take place in due course.

A Garda press office statement this evening said the passenger in the car was also brought to Tullamore hospital to receive treatment for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

The male driver of the other car, also in his 80s, was brought to hospital in Tullamore but his injuries, too, are not thought to be life-threatening.

A technical examination of the crash scene by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators was carried out this afternoon.

A road closure was also in place on the N55 between Athlone and Ballymahon for most of the day, but it's understood this evening that the road has just reopened a short time ago.

An incident room was set up at Athlone Garda Station in response to the fatal accident, and is being coordinated by the Garda Divisional Traffic Inspector.

Gardai have also issued a public appeal for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage, and were travelling in the area between 10.15am and 11.15am today are being asked to make this footage available to the Gardaí.

Anyone with any information can contact Athlone Garda Station on 090 649 2600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.