Woman airlifted to hospital after being seriously injured in collision

David Raleigh

A woman was seriously injured on Saturday after a car she was travelling in was in a collision with a bus carrying children, shortly before 3pm, near Ballylanders, Co Limerick.

The woman was airlifted by the HSE’s national air ambulance to Cork University Hospital with a serious head injury.

It is understood four others involved in the incident sustained minor injuries.

According to sources, there were 23 children on board the bus. None of the bus occupants sustained serious injuries.

The R513 remains closed as Gardai await a Garda Forensic Collision Investigator to carry out a technical examination of the vehicles and the scene.

A major emergency plan swung into operation involving Gardaí and the National Ambulance Service, firefighters from Kilmallock, Co Limerick, and north Cork.

The Shannon-based Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter (115) was also tasked to the scene but stood down a short time later.

A garda spokesperson said: “Shortly before 3pm, gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of a collision between a car and a bus on the R513 at Ballylanders, County Limerick.”

“One of the car's occupants, an adult female, has been airlifted to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries.”

“All bus occupants were medically assessed at the scene and none require immediate hospital treatment.“

“The road is currently closed to traffic and local diversions are in place.

The Garda spokesperson added that “no additional information is available at this time” and that “a full report from the scene is awaited”.