Man in his 20s dies after van careers into a tree

A MAN in his 20s died yesterday when his van careered into a tree in Co. Roscommon.

The tragic incident happened on the Ballaghaderreen to Gurteen Road at 8am.

The man, named locally as Stephen Coleman, was the sole occupant of the van at the time of the crash.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was taken to Roscommon University Hospital.

Gardaí are investigating the incident and any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact Castlerea Garda station on 094-9621630, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or any Garda station.

Local senator Maura Hopkins said the whole community was shocked and saddened to hear the news of Stephen’s death.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Stephen’s family, friends and neighbours. He was a lovely young man, this is a terrible tragedy,’ she said.

Diversions have been put in place on the R293 to facilitate the Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Some 112 people have died so far this year on Irish roads. This includes the eight people killed so far in September.

Last week saw a number of fatalities on Irish roads with three generations of the same family and two American tourists killed in two separate collisions in Mayo and Cork.