Sister of motorcyclist killed in tragic M50 crash makes heartfelt plea to drivers who sat with brother

The sister of a motorcyclist tragically killed in a horrific collision with a lorry on the M50 on Friday[1] has appealed to try and find the drivers who sat with her brother until the ambulance came. Derek Martin, 42, from north Dublin[2], who worked at Wheatfield Prison, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene after the motorbike he was riding collided with a lorry between the Liffey Valley and Castleknock junctions at around 10:15am. The truck driver, aged in his 50s, was rushed to hospital to be treated for injuries which are not believed to be serious.

A large portion of the motorway was shut into the evening[3] following the tragic collision, causing significant delays.

Derek’s sister, Helen, has taken to social media to make a heartfelt appeal to motorists who stopped and sat with him “so he wasn’t alone” as they waited for the ambulance to arrive at the scene. She wrote on X: “I’ve just been told that when my brother passed away on the M50 on Friday that several cars stopped and people sat around him until the ambulance came so he wasn’t alone, I really want to find them if people can please share”.

Emergency services on the Northbound carriageway at the N4 exit of the M50 (Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin)

Thankfully, Helen’s heartbreaking plea was answered, with one woman replying to tell her that she went to a car to cover Derek up after she realised he has tragically lost his life.

Expressing sympathy to the Martins for the tragic loss of Derek, she said: “Helen, I am so sorry for your loss. “I was one of those people, got out of my car and when I realised he had passed away, I went to my car and got a blanket to cover him and wrapped it around him. It was the least I could do.

My heart goes out to all of you.”

Emergency services on the Northbound carriageway at the N4 exit of the M50 (Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin)

Gardai[6] at Blanchardstown are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to this fatal collision on the M50 to come forward. A spokesperson said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the M50 at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai. They added: “Anyone with any information is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link[7] to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice[8].

References

1. ^ collision with a lorry on the M50 on Friday (www.irishmirror.ie)
2. ^ Dublin (www.irishmirror.ie)
3. ^ large portion of the motorway was shut into the evening (www.irishmirror.ie)
4. ^ Victims of tragic weekend crashes on M50 and Dame Street named (www.irishmirror.ie)
5. ^ Sinn Fein TD pleads with government to take ‘urgent’ action to upgrade N17 in wake of another fatal collision (www.irishmirror.ie)
6. ^ Gardai (www.irishmirror.ie)
7. ^ this link (chat.whatsapp.com)
8. ^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)