Truck drivers narrow escape in river plunge

THE driver of a pick-up truck had a narrow escape this morning when his vehicle skidded on black ice and plunged over the parapet of a river bridge in the south Mayo village of Cross, writes Tom Shiel.

According to gardaí, the truck cab was left dangling over the swollen river at Cross on the N84 main Castlebar to Galway road. However, he managed to scramble to safety.

The road was closed for several hours from midday as a salvage operation was mounted. This involved the use of a crane with lifting gear.

Road conditions in the Cross area were extremely hazardous this morning following heavy overnight frost which was followed by a lengthy snowfall in early afternoon.