Overview
- The 6.15pm Heuston–Westport train hit a car at the user‑operated Kiltybo level crossing near Ballyhaunis shortly before 9pm on Thursday, and a 12‑year‑old passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
- The car’s driver, a man in his late 40s, was taken to hospital with injuries described as non‑life‑threatening and passengers on the train disembarked safely with onward transport organised.
- Earlier the same day a separate Westport–Dublin service struck a tractor in Co Offaly, leaving one person with minor injuries and adding to disruption on the line.
- Iarnród Éireann has suspended services on the Westport route, arranged replacement bus transfers and warned of significant disruption while refunds are offered to ticket holders.
- Gardaí have closed the road, asked Forensic Collision Investigators to carry out a technical examination, and appealed for witnesses including dash‑cam footage as attention turns to safety at user‑operated crossings.