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Updated 9.38pm
A MAN IN his 80s was driving in the wrong direction when he collided with another car on the N25 in Cork earlier today.
The man was killed instantly when his wine coloured Seat Ibiza collided was travelling in the wrong direction on the west bound lane of the N25 towards Cork city and collided with a red Subaru Impreza that was travelling in the same lane towards Carrigtwohill.
The incident happened at Harper’s Island, between the Little Island and the Cobh Junctions, at around 11.30am. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man driving the second car, 32, has been taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment to injuries described as “not life-threatening”. Both were the sole occupants of their vehicles.
The road was closed to facilitate a forensic collision investigation but has since reopened.
Gardaí are now appealing for witnesses to the incident to contact them at Cobh Garda Station on 021 490 8530, the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111 or any Garda Station.
First published 2.13pm
This article originally stated that the man was in his 70s, gardaí now believe he was in his 80s.
- additional reporting from Hugh O’Connell
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I passed this crash this morning and i cannot get it out of my head it was terrible. Never seen something as bad before and i am traumatised. So sad. Rest in peace xxxxxxx poor man :(
This is the second fatal accident in as many years due to drivers exiting Little Island and taking the wrong turn on to the dual carriageway. The other incident was when a young woman lost her life after making the same mistake. That occurred late at night whereas today’s tragic event happened in broad daylight. I think the problem is that the slip road on to the dual carriageway to Cork city intersects with the exit on to Little Island from the east. There are two standard no-access signs (an arrow with a red bar across it) on the latter but maybe they are not sufficient. Perhaps a more conspicuous “WRONG WAY -GO BACK” sign should be added. We don’t want to hear about another fatality caused by drivers taking the wrong exit at this junction.
I’ve since learned that it may not have been that particular exit, that the driver took the wrong exit at the Cobh Cross junction a few miles to the east.
If they took down the median quite high hedge row of the dual carrageway from Cork before the Midleton roundabout…it would remind the unfamilar that theres 2 more lanes on the otherside…because you cant see the other lanes..i be having visions of a car or truck coming thru that hedge and killing me…touch wood.
In this case who knows. Might have been age related not wearing glasses oe paying attention.
While I don’t so in this case the vast majority of these types of accidents are suicide.
Very tragic that this man died. However, other news sources have confirmed the collision happened because he was driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway so, while I genuinely am sorry he was killed, I’m also very grateful that he didn’t cause even more deaths.
I was travelling East during the hours of darkness on this section of road some years ago (as an aside, I happened to be driving a HGV equipped with strobes and beacons-which came in handy, as you’ll see).
Approaching Midleton, I was met by a pair of headlights coming at me, dead centre of the dividing line between the two lanes, runway style. After a second or two, I figured out that this person was doing no more than about 10-20kph, so as there was nothing behind me, and clear visibility for at least half a mile, straddled the two lanes, threw on hazards, strobes, the lot, and flagged her down.
This middle aged woman put the window down, cool as a breeze, leaned out and asked me how to get to Cobh! For anyone that knows that part of the road, it’s quite difficult and counterintuitive to leave Midleton, bound for Cork, and end up on the wrong side of the dual carriageway.
I told her that the only place she was going to end up was a cemetary, if she didn’t cop herself on. By this stage there was a nice build up of traffic coming to a halt behind me, which she didn’t seem to observe, so I told her to get her skates on, turn around and follow the signs next time.
Had she travelled another mile or so in the wrong direction, the dual carriageway (built in the mid Eighties-the scene of this crash is some ten years newer and much better engineered) reverts to twists and turns, and any oncoming driver would have had little time to react. Herself and her passenger dodged a bullet that night, and I hope she paid more attention after that.
The same exact thing happened to me years ago in the same spot . I was overtaking in the fast lane as the road bends and to my horror there was as an elderly couple driving the wrong way down d dual carriage way. Thought at the time it was a freak accident but looking at some of the posts above it looks like its a major problem that should b looked at more closely. My deepest respects to the unfortunate man who died.
Congrats on your presence of mind. No doubt your quick reaction averted a tragic accident. Your lost driver might not realise but you do. And this Journal reader is impressed.
Thanks for those kind comments, Gary. Much appreciated :)
Ryan, I’ve seen at first hand the devastation that a collision can cause. And in my experience HGV drivers are the most aware and responsible on the road. This despite contractors and owners pushing them to do crazy hours and with unattainable deadlines. That aside, taking responsibility to control the road and to prevent a tragedy, is commendable. As the singer John Spillane says ” well done, Well done everyone”.
Rip
So sad :( RIP
Are we allowed to comment on yet another fatality caused by a driver over the age of 75? Rules need to be tightened up regarding much older drivers. Rip obviously but the debate needs to happen.
Having seen the fatal crash on this road a couple of years ago and just reading the comments above it is clear this section of road needs to be addressed. condolences to the family of the Man who died
And to lay full blame on him for the crash is unfair
International evidence does not show any increased risk of crashing associated with merely being old – at present elderly people must pass a regular medical. At that point issues such as dementia or failing eyesight can cause an elderly person to lose their licence but no, they don’t lose it because they’re old. There’s not proof that that works!
I agree with you 100% Stephen. I know at least 5 elderly drivers that should not be on the road as they are a serious danger to themselves and everyone else on the road. It is only a matter of time before one of them is killed or worse still before they destroy some family’s lives, something has to be done. Nowwwwwwwwwwww.
Couldent agree more,people will try and argue that it means an old persond independence,but do you know what this mans independence git him killed,and could of killed another in the process.No medical will point out an incapable driver,people over the age of 70 should be re-tested every 2 years
Actually, I’m a Geriatrician, and agree we need to tighten up the rules on fitness to drive for older people. The HSE and RSA have just published guidelines for doctors in this respect. However for consistency we need to apply much stricter rules for young male drivers, who by far are the most hazardous road users. There is a very strong case that drivers under 25 should be required to drive speed limited cars and that anyone collecting more than a set number of penalty points or one drink drive conviction should be returned to a learner status ( no motorway driving, must drive with another licences driver in the car) and take he test again.
Rest in peace
I was nearly wiped off the road last year in a similar head on with a woman driving the wrong way down the slip road from Mahon point down to the link! Scary
I made that mistake myself at that particular point, but done a u turn pronto as soon as i realised my error.
Rest in peace
Y wud u get red thumbs for sayin RIP !!! Some ejets out there !!!
If you havent already noticed,the Journal does seem to attract them.
And of course the state will use this and similar instences to
Reason for more penalty points , tax , laws aimed at drivers once you got a car they got you by the balls..
Ridiculous comment.
On a motorway, what does a blank, grey sign on the right hand side indicate?
Rip poor man :( what a way to die at 80 years of age. Heart breaking and tragic hope he is at peace now.
Scarily I’ve had this happen, cars driving the wrong way on dual carriageway/motorway,to me 3 times in the last 2 years..Thankfully all missed me but left me shaking each time.Rip to the victim
i was giving my sister a driving lesson on a remote road. suddenly a woman comes around the corner on her mobile phone on the wrong side of the road. my sister made evasive action as the cars were not going fast. the other driver didnt move must of thought she was driving on the correct side of the road and continued to do so after she passed my car. I really hope nobody was hurt by this dangerous person.
She was driving a mobile phone? That’s mad, ur story is full of holes. Rumbled
These elderly and infirmed people should really take some sort of frequent test to make sure their capable of operate a vehicle.
Other road users need to be protected.
Such a sad end to this poor mans life,may he rest in peace.
It clearly needs to be much more obvious for drivers which lanes will take them in the wrong direction on the dual carriageway, larger signs would definitely help, with words not just symbols. I didn’t realise until reading these comments that so many people had come across others driving in the wrong direction!
If the signs were any bigger trucks wouldn’t be able to get by?
Maybe people should pay attention to the ones that are already there or when you see the cars on the other side of the divide going the same way as you, and the back of signs instead of the front of them the alarm bells really should be starting to go off.
Sorry for been blunt, I know you mean well.
Is this not a reason for kids to buy their elderly parents gps with lane tech?
Maybe they should put GPS’s on the medical card?
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