Cork emergency services used 'every piece of equipment available' to free woman trapped in car following horrific collision

GARDAÍ and firefighters used “used every piece of emergency equipment available” to free a woman trapped in a car during a major emergency response at Carr’s Hill on Thursday after a horrific multi-vehicle collision.

A woman in her 50s was left in a serious condition tonight in Cork University Hospital (CUH) following the incident involving three cars, a van, and a truck, on the N28 at approximately 1.15pm.

The female driver, who is believed to have been travelling in the opposite direction to the articulated truck, was pinned inside her car for just under three hours by a container which had become detached from the truck.

Gardaí, National Ambulance Service paramedics, and four units of Cork City Fire Brigade attended the scene. Specialist healthcare workers from the HSE and CUH including trauma response doctors and a haematologist also attended the scene.

The driver of the truck was treated on scene for shock and minor injuries.

The stretch between the Shannon Road roundabout in Carrigaline and the Bloomfield Interchange in Douglas remained closed for several hours following the incident, with local diversions set in place. The road was later reopened following a technical examination conducted by the Garda Forensic Collision Investigation team.

Speaking to The Echo Cork City Fire Brigade Third Officer Gerard Ryan said: “When the units arrived on scene they spotted the car that was trapped really badly between the ditch and under the container of the articulated lorry.

“It was a very complex rescue exercise because of the weight of the container. It took just under three hours to free the lady from the car.

“The container was bearing down all the way up to the A-post of the car. It was a very heavy container, the truck was carrying a full load. We used every piece of emergency equipment that was available to us,” he added.

Emergency responders coordinated their efforts using multiple types of equipment including heavy lifting equipment, airbag cutting equipment, winching equipment, and a track excavator which was delivered by nearby builders working on the M28.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Seamus McGrath said: “It was an extremely serious accident. My thoughts and prayers are with the lady in hospital, and I’m hoping for the very best for her and her family.” 

A Garda spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána is aware that there are images related to this serious road traffic collision in circulation through group chat and on social media. This is an ongoing investigation and out of respect for those involved, please do not forward or share.”

Togher gardaí are appealing to road users travelling on the N28 between 1pm and 1.45pm, who have camera footage of the incident, to make it available to them.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Togher Garda Station on 021 4947120 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111.