Tragic loss of life on N11

THe sound of sirens rang out around Enniscorthy at around midday last Tuesday as emergency services rushed to the scene of a tragic road accident on the N11.

There was disbelief at the scene, just beyond the Blackstoops Roundabout, as paramedics, firemen and gardaí swarmed the area, trying to bring some element of control to the chaos.

Three vehicles were involved in the incident – a large Volkswagen van carrying two passengers, believed to be from Dublin, a Toyota Hilux pickup which was being driven by local publican Karl Forster, and a black Peugeot hatchback car.

The Peugeot was being driven by Breda Mullett and it bore the brunt of the damage in a collision which tragically claimed the life of her 19-yearold daughter Aisling Dolan, who was a front-seat passenger.

It is believed that both the van and the car were headed towards Ferns, while the pickup was headed for Enniscorthy when the collision occurred.

The call went out shortly after midday and an ambulance was first to arrive at the scene, closely followed by crew from Enniscorthy Fire Service.

One of crew described the scene as ‘complete mayhem’ as they tried to establish which vehicle contained the worst casualties and where they were needed most.

The front end of the Hilux was completely smashed up in the middle of the road, while the Volkswagen van was on its side at the side of the road. It was quickly established that the fire service were most needed at the car, which was left in a horrendous state and trapped in between the ditch and a strawberry seller’s stand at the side of the road.

Tragically, 19-year-old Aisling had been killed instantly and the fire crew faced a major challenge in removing her mother from the car in a situation where time was of the essence.

Meanwhile, an army helicopter arrived at the scene and landed on the road waiting to take any caualties away to hospital. Mr Forster was brought by ambulance to Wexford General Hospital for treatment, while the two occupants of the van received treatement for minor injuries and shock at the scene.

The firemen were faced with a difficult task in removing Ms Mullett from the car. She had suffered two broken legs and there was difficulty in gaining access to the car between the ditch and the strawberry stand. A member of the fire crew climbed into the vehicle and talked to Ms Mullett as they attempted to cut the roof off of the vehicle.

Working in full fire gear in the heat of summer, the crew eventually managed to cut the roof off the car and Ms Mullett was immediately airlifted to Tallaght Hospital. A spokesman for Enniscorthy Gardaí said that Ms Mullett was left in a stable condition and that her injuries were not life threatening.

Meanwhile, workers from Donohoes, just beside where the accident took place, looked on in shock and volunteered to help in any way they could as the operation was under way. One of them described hearing an unmerciful bang and seeing a huge amount of dust rising up off the road before making the realisation as to what had happened.

The road between the Blackstoops Roundabout and Scarawalsh was closed from the time of the incident, shortly after midday, up until 7 p.m. that evening, with motorists being diverted onto the Old Dublin Road. A Garda forensic collision investigator arrived at the scene and a full and thorough technical examination was carried out.

The garda spokesman said that there was no definitive indication as to what caused the accident just yet, however, a detailed report was expected to be filed on the incident over the coming weeks.

Gardaí are also hoping to talk to anyone who may have witnessed the accident and have urged them to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station at 053 9242580.