A GARDA has been hospitalised following an accident which has resulted in traffic chaos on the main Cork-Macroom road tonight.

The garda was travelling from Macroom towards Lissarda in a squad car attached to the roads policing unit when a collision occurred with a jeep and trailer travelling from Lissarda, on a bridge known locally as Four Mile Bridge.

A witness said the jeep and trailer were dangling over the bridge following the incident.

Emergency services were called and the garda had to be cut free from the squad car, before being taken to Cork University Hospital.

The driver of the jeep did not require hospital treatment, but was in shock.

The accident occurred at around 6.30pm.

Four units of Cork County Fire Service attended the scene, along with the National Ambulance Service and Gardaí.

The road has been closed for a forensic examination of the scene.

Traffic from the Cork side is diverted at Lissarda, and traffic from Macroom is diverted at Hartnett’s Cross.