'Number of fatalities' and four injured after car drives on wrong side of motorway
A head-on collision on the M9 motorway in County Kildare, Ireland, has resulted in multiple fatalities and left four people in critical or serious condition. The incident occurred when a vehicle traveled on the wrong side of the road, and the police ombudsman has launched an independent investigation.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical road safety concerns and triggers mandatory independent oversight protocols for serious traffic accidents involving potential police interaction.
Image source, PA Media By Adam Mandeville BBC News NI Published 16 August 2026, 09:42 BST Updated 2 hours ago A number of people have died and four people have been taken to hospital following a two-vehicle crash in County Kildare.
The collision occurred on on the M9 Northbound at Junction 3 at about 03:00 local time on Sunday.
Gardaí (Irish police) said a vehicle had been travelling on the wrong side of the carriageway when a head on collision occurred with a second car. They said there were a "number of fatalities".
The driver and front passenger, both female and aged in their 30s, of the second car have been removed from the scene to Tallaght University Hospital and both remain in critical condition.
A female rear seat passenger, aged in her 20s, was taken to St. Luke's General Hospital and is in a serious condition.
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