Elderly woman killed in head-on collision on M7 motorway

An elderly woman has died following a head-on road collision on the M7 motorway in County in Laois while a second woman has been seriously injured.

The fatal collision happened close to Junction 21 (Borris-in-Ossory) on the eastbound carriageway at around 4.15pm this Thursday.

According to gardai, two cars were in collision and the driver of one of these cars, a woman aged in her 80s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her body has since been removed to Portlaoise Mortuary where a post mortem will take place.

Gardai have confirmed that the driver of the other car, a woman aged in her 50s, was taken to Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore to be treated for injuries which are believed to be serious but non-life threatening.

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The M7 eastbound remains closed to traffic, with diversions in place, to facilitate Garda Forensic Collision Investigators who are attending the scene and who will carry out a technical examination.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward and, in particular, they are appealing for any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and who were travelling on the M7 and its environs, between 3.50pm and 4.20pm this this Thursday, to make this footage available.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Abbeyleix garda station on (057) 873 0580, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.