Eight secondary school students and two teachers were among 12 people injured in a collision involving a bus and a truck in Co Kilkenny on Thursday.
The incident happened on the N77 near Dinin Bridge, Ardaloo at around 10am. The truck driver was transferred to Tallaght University Hospital via helicopter with serious injuries. The bus driver was taken to Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore with non-life-threatening injuries.
The eight students, pupils of Coláiste Phobal in Roscrea, Co Tipperary and their teachers were taken for treatment at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny. Their injuries have been described as non-life-threatening. One teacher and one student were still receiving treatment on Thursday afternoon, a statement from the school said.
It is understood that a group of roughly 40 transition year students from the school were travelling to Kilkenny when the crash occurred. The truck was travelling in the opposite direction, towards Ballyragget, when the crash occurred.
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Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, a Co Kilkenny Fianna Fáil representative, commended the response of the emergency services and wished those injured in the crash a speedy recovery.
Michael Smith, a Fianna Fáil councillor based in Roscrea, said there was “great concern” in the town when news of the crash broke and that his thoughts were with those injured. “There was very much worry and concern this morning for all the families and those injured.”
Coláiste Phobal Roscrea and its patron, Tipperary Education and Training Board, issued a statement wishing those injured well.
“The students and teachers involved have received treatment for non-life threatening injuries at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny, with one student and one teacher still in hospital at this time,” said the statement, issued shortly before 5pm. “We would like to extend our best wishes to them, as well as the drivers of both vehicles, who are still receiving hospital treatment for their injuries.
“NEPS, the psychological support service of the Department of Education, are supporting the school, and the school’s Critical Incident Team has been convened. We will be working with staff and students affected to ensure they receive any necessary supports after experiencing this traumatic event.”
Traffic diversions were in places at the scene of the crash to allow for forensic examinations.
Gardaí in Kilkenny appealed to witnesses and anoyone with camera footage from the N77 in the vicinity of Ardaloo at the time of the crash to come forward.
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