BREAKING: Three young men hospitalised following serious road traffic collision in Limerick

THREE young men have been hospitalised - one with serious injuries - following a road traffic collision on the outskirts of Limerick city early this Saturday morning.

It occurred on the R445 Dublin Road in Limerick city shortly before 5am.

Gardaí, Limerick Fire and Rescue Service and paramedics with the National Ambulance Service attended the scene of a single-vehicle collision involving a van. 

A number of photos and videos of the collision have been widely shared on social media. They purportedly show a number of cars that were parked up for the night being damaged. 

Following a query from Limerick Live, a garda spokesperson said the three occupants of the van - all male and aged in their mid teens, late teens and 20s - were transported to University Hospital Limerick for medical assessment following the collision. 

“The male, aged in his 20s, sustained serious injuries. The scene has been preserved for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local traffic diversions are currently in effect,” said a garda spokesperson.

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The Dublin Road is currently closed from the Pennywell Road to the St Patrick's Road junction (picture below). There is heavy traffic in the area and motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. 

“Road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling on Dublin Road, Limerick city, at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street garda station on 061 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station,” said the garda spokesperson.