THE death of a young nurse in a single-vehicle crash in east Cork yesterday has plunged her community into sadness.

Midleton Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the collision, which took place at 8.30am yesterday.

The driver and sole occupant of the car, the nurse in her early 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

She was working as a nurse at Cork University Hospital and had been returning from night duty when the crash occurred.

It is understood that she was living locally in Midleton, but was originally from Kerry. She has become the third casualty on Cork roads this year.

Cork East TD Pat Buckley said the fatality was “very sad” and people’s thoughts were with the victim’s family.

“She was returning home from night duty and she was nearly home. There are no words,” he added.

Midleton-based county councillor Susan McCarthy said the incident has plunged the local community into sadness.

“It is particularly hard when it is someone so young, she had her whole life ahead of her. The whole place was thinking of her yesterday. It really makes you think.”

Some of the young woman’s family were abroad when the incident occurred and gardaí were making sure all family had been informed before officially releasing her name.

Gardaí and the emergency services were called to the scene of the collision on the N25 at WaterRock eastbound at around 8.25am.

It is understood the car left the road before it struck a wall and then a tree. Also this month a 73-year-old pedestrian in Clonakilty lost his life on January 15th and on January 22nd, an 84-year-old motorist near Midleton was involved in a fatal collision with a truck and another car.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Midleton Garda Station 021-4621550, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.