Man who died in mayo accident is named

THE man who died in a road traffic accident in Knockmore this morning has been named locally as John McNicholas.

A Mayo County Council worker, he died after being struck by a tar spraying unit during road mending operations.

An investigation is underway into the death of Mr. McNicholas from Lismirrane, Bohola, a long serving member of the outdoor staff of the council.

Mr. McNicholas, a married man in his 50s, was directing tar spraying works on a narrow road near Knockmore, Ballina, around 9.20am when the incident occurred.

It is understood he was walking at the time he was struck. Work colleagues rushed to his assistance and emergency services were called to the scene.

A council team had been involved for a number of days on road repair operations in the Knockmore area.

Councillor Seamus Weir, chair of the Ballina Municipal District, paid tribute to Mr McNicholas for his work as a road overseer stating that he was very diligent and very responsive to the needs of local communities.

Mr. McNicholas is survived by his wife, Ann, his 86-year-old mother, also Ann, and four children, two boys and two girls.

Separate investigations – involving the Health and Safety Authority and the gardaí – has begun into the death.

A section of road between Sraheen National School and Knockmore village was closed to traffic following the incident.

A post mortem is due to be carried out at Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar.