N85 Closed Following Road Traffic Incident – Clare FM

A man is in a critical condition in hospital following what Gardaí are describing as a ‘road traffic incident’ in Co Clare this afternoon.

The alarm was raised shortly after 12.30pm when emergency services received reports of a collision on the N85 Western Relief Road near Ennis. The route connects the M18 motorway with roads to west and north Clare.

It’s understood that a vehicle was seen colliding with a roadside barrier at least once before coming to a stop on the footpath. A motorist travelling the road at the time stopped and quickly ran to the driver’s aid however the man was found in a collapsed state.

It’s believed that the motorist dragged the unconscious driver from his vehicle and began to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the roadway. A second passing motorist stopped and also assisted with CPR until ambulance paramedics arrived.

National Ambulance Service paramedics and units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Ennis station attended the scene along with several Garda units.

Further efforts to resuscitate the driver were carried out by ambulance paramedics before the critically ill man was rushed by to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. The man is understood to be in his 40s.

The road has been closed to traffic while a preliminary examination of the scene was carried out.

It’s believed that the driver may have suffered a medical episode before the collision.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed: “Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of a single-vehicle road traffic incident involving a car, which occurred on the N85 Ennis Bypass, Co. Clare, today, Monday 3rd June 2024, at approximately 12.40pm.

The road is currently closed and local diversions are in place. Investigations are ongoing.