12-year-old boy dies in train collision at level crossing in Co Mayo, Ireland

A 12-year-old boy has died after the car he was travelling in was struck by a train at a level crossing in Co Mayo, Ireland.

The incident occurred in Kiltybo, near Ballyhaunis, shortly after 8.45pm on Thursday. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the car, a man in his late 40s, was taken to hospital by ambulance. His injuries are not described as life-threatening.

An Garda Síochána, the Irish police service, stated that passengers on the train disembarked safely and onward transport was provided.

Forensic Collision Investigators will carry out a technical examination of the location. On Friday morning, the road remained closed as the boy’s remains were taken to Mayo University Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Gardaí are urging witnesses to the crash to come forward.

The incident resulted in “significant disruption” to the line between Westport and Athlone.

The collision was the second disruption on the Westport to Dublin line on Thursday.

Bus transfers were arranged for passengers when a train struck a tractor at a level crossing at the Meelaghans, between Portarlington and Tullamore around 3.50pm.

A man in his 40s was taken to Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore following that incident, where his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

The Health and Safety Authority, which examines workplace incidents, was notified.

In a post on social media platform X before the death was announced, Irish Rail said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by today’s incidents.”

It later said: “Iarnród Éireann expresses our deepest sympathies to the family of the young boy who tragically lost his life at a level crossing in Kiltybo near Ballyhaunis yesterday evening.”

Replacement bus transfers were operating from Westport to Athlone on Friday morning, with Ballina to Manulla services running through to Claremorris.

The line between Westport and Athlone is to remain closed “until further notice”.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien described the incident as “awful news”.

“Obviously, my thoughts and deepest sympathies go to that family, the loss of a young 12-year-old boy, it’s an absolute tragedy,” he said.

“A full investigation is taking place right now, both through An Garda Síochána and our rail safety investigators as well.”

He said both the boy’s death, and also the second incident will be investigated.

“We have a very good safety record here in Ireland, notwithstanding what has just happened yesterday,” he said.

“Any incident, regardless how serious or how minor, is investigated in great detail.

“We have expert people to do that in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, and that will be done as a matter of priority.

“But it is extremely rare, and to have two incidents on the one line in one day, I can’t recall that before.

“As I said, our thoughts are really with the family and this terrible loss for them.”