Second serious collision hits Dublin to Mayo train line in one day
Irish Rail services to and from Westport face significant disruption on Friday morning following two separate collisions on the Dublin to Mayo line.
A vehicle collided with a train near Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, on Thursday evening.
The 6.15pm Heuston to Westport service collided with a vehicle at a user-operated level crossing at Kiltybo in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo just before 9pm.
Irish Rail wrote that "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by today's incidents. We'll continue to do our best to provide clear and timely updates as info becomes available. A sincere thank you to all passengers/staff for your patience, understanding and cooperation during this challenging day."
Westport rail services face significant disruption after a second collision involving a train on the Dublin to Mayo line struck a vehicle on Thursday night, just hours after an earlier crash on the same route.
Emergency services and railway personnel attended the scene, and Irish Rail confirmed that Westport services would not operate as a result of the incident.
The four carriage train involved is understood to have been around three-quarters full at the time.
Passengers remained on board following the collision while Gardaí took contact details from those affected. It is understood passengers were walked along the track to the nearest level crossing before being bussed onward to Ballyhaunis train station.
They were then placed on Corduff Travel buses for the rest of the journey, with one of the buses arriving into Westport at 1:50am.
Those on board were advised to leave larger luggage behind on the train and bring only what they could carry.
Irish Rail has warned that services to and from Westport can expect significant disruption on Friday morning as a result of the two incidents on the line.
Irish Rail thanks passengers and staff.
Irish Rail said it would not be in a position to confirm decisions on services until Friday morning, noting the seriousness of the Ballyhaunis incident and that it could not yet say how the following day's timetable would be affected by the two separate collisions.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.