Multiple killed and four critical after wrong-way driver causes head-on crash on Irish motorway

Multiple people have been killed after a vehicle drove the wrong way on Ireland's M9 motorway in County Kildare and caused a head-on collision in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The crash

The collision occurred on the M9 Northbound at Junction 3 at approximately 03:00 local time. Irish police (Gardai) said a vehicle had been travelling on the wrong side of the carriageway when a head-on collision occurred with a second car. The exact number of fatalities has not been officially confirmed, but police confirmed there were "a number of fatalities."

Irish broadcaster RTE reported that Gardai said there was no police pursuit taking place when the collision occurred.

Survivors in critical condition

The driver and front passenger, both women aged in their 30s, from the second car were removed to Tallaght University Hospital. Both remain in critical condition. A female rear-seat passenger, aged in her 20s, was taken to St. Luke's General Hospital in a serious condition. A child who was also in the vehicle has been taken to Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin and is in a serious condition.

Road closure

The section of the M9 motorway between Junction 3 and Junction 4, both northbound and southbound, has been closed with local diversions in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.