Man dies in hit-and-run collision as car found 2kmaway

A MAN died in a hit-and-run collision in Cork, with a badly damaged vehicle later found abandoned just 2km away.

Gardaí are now investigating whether the saloon – found with damage to its front and passenger side – is connected with the fatal collision in east Cork at 2am yesterday.

Two people died overnight in accidents in Cork and Clare as traffic fatalities soared to an alarming 30pc increase on 2019 levels.

A total of 39 people have died on Irish roads so far this year – nine more than for the same period last year.

Gardaí have now appealed for any witnesses to the east Cork hit-and-run which resulted in the death of a man in his mid-30s.

The pedestrian was found with critical injuries on the N25 Cork-Waterford road, near Cobh Cross in east Cork.

He was pronounced dead at the scene before he could be transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH).

It is believed the vehicle involved was travelling westbound on the N25.

A short time later, gardaí became aware of a Toyota saloon left on the roadside, some 2km from the scene.

Garda technical experts were examining both the collision scene and the damaged vehicle.

Anyone with information – particularly any road users who travelled in the area between 1.30am and 2.30am who may have dash-cam footage – is asked to contact Midleton garda station on (021) 4621550 or to call the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111.

Meanwhile, a teenager died in a single-vehicle crash in Clare.

The accident occurred in the Cratloekeel area of Cratloe at 2.55am yesterday with the 18-year-old male driver of the car pronounced dead at the scene before he could be transferred to University Hospital Limerick.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information, particularly road users who travelled in the area who may have dash-cam footage, to contact Henry Street garda station on (061) 212400.

Fatalities have soared to a 30pc increase on 2019 levels