Man injured in dramatic crash at Castlebar roundabout

ONE of Mayo’s busiest traffic intersections – Moneen Roundabout, Castlebar – has been closed to traffic all morning due to a dramatic, single vehicle road collision earlier, writes Tom Shiel.

Just before 1 a.m. this morning (Tuesday), an Audi A4 smashed through the roundabout, careering along for up to 300 to 400 yards following the initial impact.

The car, which was wrecked in the series of impacts, ended up sideways straddling the N5 roadway at the main entrance to Mulroy’s Store.

Ambulance personnel came on the accident and rushed the injured driver to nearby Mayo University Hospital.

This afternoon, the male driver is said to be in a critical but stable condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Extensive damage was caused to the roundabout. Paving stones were dislodged, shrubbery uprooted and signs were ripped away.

Major traffic diversions are in place as gardaí carry out an extensive forensic examination of the damaged vehicle and the crash scene.

The roundabout was not expected to re-open until later today (Tuesday).

The injured man, who is in his 30s, is understood to be from the Swinford area of the county.