Gardai have confirmed that a teenage girl seriously injured in a horror crash in Kilkenny yesterday was sitting in the car when it was stolen.
One person died and four were injured in the two-vehicle collision, which happened just before 4pm on the N77 between Kilkenny town and Ballyragget.
The driver of one vehicle, a man aged in his 30s, was taken from the scene and later pronounced dead.
READ MORE: Motorist 'almost killed' after car drives down wrong side of Irish motorway as gardai investigate
A teenage girl, who was an occupant of this vehicle when it was stolen, was airlifted to Waterford University Hospital with serious injuries. It's understood she had been sitting in the back of the car when it was stolen.
Three people in the second vehicle - two men aged in their 40s and 60s, and a woman aged in her 40s - were taken to St Luke’s General Hospital for treatment. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.
The N77 between Hennebry's Cross and Dinan Bridge was closed for a forensic collision investigation.
Gardai have launched an investigation into the crash and the theft of a vehicle.
A spokesperson said: “As part of this fatal road traffic collision investigation, gardai are investigating the circumstances of the theft of a vehicle at Green Street, Kilkenny at approximately 3:30pm. A female teenager was an occupant of the vehicle when it was stolen. This vehicle was subsequently involved in the fatal road traffic collision.”
They have also launched an appeal for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them.
The spokesperson continued: “Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to either of these incidents to come forward to assist them with their ongoing investigations. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N77 between Kilkenny town and Ballyragget between 3:15pm and 4pm are asked to make this footage available to gardai.
“Gardaí are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Green Street area of Kilkenny between 3pm and 3:30pm to make this footage available to them.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 7775000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
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