Twelve-year-old boy dies after train collides with car at Ballyhaunis
Pic. iStock
A twelve-year-old boy has died following a collision between a train and car at a level crossing near Ballyhaunis on Thursday evening.
Shortly after 8.45 p.m. Gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of a collision at a level crossing in Kiltybo near Ballyhaunis.
A passenger in the car, a 12-year-old boy, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car, a male in his late 40s, was taken from the scene by ambulance for hospital treatment. His injuries are not life-threatening.
The 6.15 p.m. service from Dublin’s Heuston station to Westport was travelling westbound when it struck the vehicle.
The line between Westport and Athlone remains closed until further notice. All passengers on the train safely disembarked and onward transport was arranged.
A technical examination of the scene will be carried out by forensic collision investigators. The road remains closed at this time.
The coroner has been notified and the deceased has been removed to the mortuary at Mayo University Hospital where a post-mortem examination will be arranged.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward.
Road users and pedestrians with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were in the area of Kiltybo, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, on Thursday, September 3rd 2026 between 8.15 p.m. and 9.15 p.m. are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station on (096) 20560, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Iarnród Éireann have advised passengers to expect significant disruptions to services operating to and from Westport on Friday following the collision. The line includes stops in Castlerea, Roscommon town and Athlone.
Replacement bus transfers will operate from Westport and Athlone this morning.
