Elderly woman dies in crash on M7 motorway

A tragic road crash on the M7 has claimed the life of an elderly woman, with a second woman seriously injured.

The fatal traffic collision took place at Junction 21 to Borris-in-Ossory, of the M7 eastbound involving two cars, at appromixately 4.15pm on Thursday afternoon. 

The driver of one of these cars, a woman aged in her 80s, has been pronounced deceased at the scene. Her body has been removed to Portlaoise Mortuary where a Post Mortem will take place.

An Garda Síochána confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live that the driver of the other car, a woman aged in her 50s, has been taken to Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore to be treated for injuries believed to be serious but non-life threatening.

The M7 eastbound was temporarily closed to traffic, with diversions in place, coming off at Junction 21, Borris-in-Ossory, Co. Laois, and coming back at Junction 18, Portlaoise.

Garda Forensic Collision Investigators attended the scene and a technical examination will be carried out.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Gardaí are appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling on the M7 and its environs, between 3:50pm and 4:20pm this afternoon, to make this footage available.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Abbeyleix Garda Station on (057) 873 0580, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.