Doctors are hopeful that a garda who lost a leg after being struck by a car while on duty is out of danger after scans indicated no brain injuries.
The community policing officer was rushed to hospital on Sunday evening after suffering severe leg injuries when his parked unmarked car was hit near Youghal, Co Cork while he helped a motorist whose vehicle had broken down.
Emergency services desperately worked at the scene to save the garda’s leg.
READ MORE: Garda seriously injured after being 'run over' by car while dealing with traffic accident in Cork
However following surgery at Cork University Hospital, his right leg below his knee was amputated.
He also suffered a fractured left leg and some internal bleeding.
But scans have confirmed that the garda has not suffered any brain injury and is expected to live.
A source said: “When the news initially came through, there was genuine fears that he wouldn’t make it.
“But the scans have confirmed that he’s suffered no brain injury.
“He has lost a leg unfortunately and has other serious injuries but thankfully it looks like he will survive.”
The crash happened at around 7pm as the garda was responding to a breakdown on the N25 Waterford to Cork road.
The officer is a married father who is a well-respected officer based in Cork.
In a statement yesterday, garda headquarters said the injured man was in a “serious but stable condition.”
He is expected to remain in hospital for some time as medics help him recover.
Following the accident, the Garda Representative Association’s President Brendan O’Connor said the “thoughts and prayers of everyone” are with their injured colleague.
The driver of the other car was also brought to CUH with non-life threatening injuries.
Yesterday the Youghal bypass on the N25 remained closed with forensic collison investigators examining the scene before it reopened later in the afternoon.
A spokesman also appealed for any to the collision to come forward and make contact with them.
He said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N25 Youghal bypass, just before the interchange at Clashadonna, between 6.40pm - 7pm on Sunday evening 13th November, 2022 are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
“In particular, Gardaí are keen to speak to any driver that may have observed the broken down vehicle and stationary Garda car.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Midleton Garda Station 021 462 1550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
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