'I saw the truck was going on fire' - witnesses recount drama of Kilkenny ring road crash

Eyewitnesses to a road traffic incident on Kilkenny's Hebron Road roundabout this afternoon reported seeing flames coming from the undercarriage of the overturned truck. 

The driver of the truck has been taken by ambulance to St Luke's Hospital. His injuries are not thought to be serious. 

The truck is said to have approached the roundabout from the Dublin Road and was heading towards the M9 when it overturned and skidded across the road. It collided with a blue jeep approaching from the Castlecomer side, scraping the front right-hand side of the vehicle, before coming to a stop.

There were three passengers travelling in the blue jeep; none are reported to be injured, but are said to be in shock. 

Deborah Kelly, Store Manager of McDonald's Kilkenny, was in her car outside the premises when she heard the sound of the crash. She immediately contacted emergency services. 

Area Leader Lisa Banks and Customer Experience Leader Mary Berzins were quick to respond when they spotted flames beginning to emerge from the truck's undercarriage. They rushed out with fire extinguishers, helped by residents of the neighbouring housing estate, and worked to subdue the flames. 

They were assisted in their efforts by the driver of a tractor who had been approaching the roundabout at the time of the crash. He carried over his own fire extinguisher to help battle the burgeoning flames, which were reported to be coming from the third axle from the driver's cabin. 

A customer within the restaurant at the time also ran out and helped the driver out through the truck cab's sunroof. 

While the driver of the truck was being treated in the ambulance, Lisa was on hand to offer tea or coffee to the three passengers of the jeep. Meanwhile, Mary stepped in to help direct traffic around the incident until Gardai arrived at the scene.

Efforts are still under way by emergency services to clear the scene. 

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