Major five-vehicle smash on M50 brings traffic to standstill as motorists warned of ‘severe delays’
FOUR people were rushed to hospital after a four-vehicle pileup on the M50 today.
The passenger of one vehicle was hospitalised with serious injuries whilst three others from a second vehicle were hospitalised as a precaution.
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Long delays after an earlier crash on the M50 northbound at J13Credit: Social Media CollectTraffic came to a standstill on busy motorway after the shocking crash just before 4pm this evening.
Gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash and removed vehicles and managed traffic at the scene.
In a statement, a Garda spokesperson confirmed that "enquiries are ongoing" into the smash.
They said: "Gardaí responded to a collision on the M50 Northbound in Ballinteer, Dublin 16 this afternoon, Thursday 5th October at approximately 3.40pm.
"Four vehicles were involved in the collision.
"The passenger of one vehicle was taken to hospital with what are understood to be serious injuries. The three occupants of a second vehicle were taken to hospital as a precaution.
"No other injuries were reported. The road has since reopened."
Severe delays were experienced after four northbound lanes of the M50 were closed off due to the incident.
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The motorway was closed northbound from Junction 13, which is in the Sandyford area and motorists were advised to completely avoid the area.
Traffic built up on alternative routes as motorists attempted to divert before the crash.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII’s) traffic control centre tweeted: “Heavy congestion on M50 after [south of] J13 Northbound due to the road being closed to facilitate emergency services.
“Traffic is being diverted at J13. Expect long delays!”
The traffic bosses also shared a snap of heavy traffic along a two lane slip road, parallel to the motorway, from Sandyford to the Dundrum junction.
All lanes are back open but motorists have been warned that there are still "severe delays" of up to 80 minutes on the motorway from Junction 15 at Carrickmines.
LiveDrive said: "All lanes are now FULLY OPEN on the M50 northbound, as the collision at J13 (Dundrum) and the broken down car at J14 (Sandyford) have been cleared.
"Severe delays of 80 minutes remain from J15."
Gardai[1] echoed warnings to avoid the area and take alternative routes.
Taking to social media, they said: "The M50 Northbound is currently closed between Junctions 13 and 14 due to a collision in the area.
"Emergency services are currently at the scene. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and take alternative routes as traffic is at a standstill."
Meanwhile, there's also major delays on the M50 southbound due to a broken down crane approaching J9 (Red Cow).
It's on the hard shoulder, with delays to be expected on the approach.
Separately, a couple were leaving a restaurant when a car ploughed into and killed the woman[2] before speeding off last night.
The woman, aged in her 60s, became the country’s latest hit and run victim while crossing the road to get a bus home on Phibsborough Road in Dublin[3] at around 9.20pm.
Gardai have urged any witnesses who were in the area or any drivers with dashcam footage to come forward.