A COUNTY Limerick man in his 40s died instantly when his van collided with the back of an articulated truck outside Limerick city in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Ivan Harvey, a father-of-two from Crecora, was the twelfth person to die on Limerick roads so far this year.
Mr Harvey was driving a VW Transporter van that collided with a truck shortly before 1.30am on a slip road off the M7 Limerick to Dublin motorway.
Gardai said their initial enquiries indicated that the lorry was stationary at the time of the collision. It is understood that the driver had pulled on to the hard shoulder after a blowout on one of the front tyres.
The driver of the truck, who is a native of Lithuania, was not physically injured but was badly shaken by the incident.
Units from Roxboro Road Garda Station, the Divisional Roads Policing unit, the National Ambulance and Limerick Fire Services attended at the crash site.
Appealing for witnesses, a Garda spokesman said that the collision occurred on the slip road at junction 30, Rossbrien (Cork Exit).
“We are anxious to hear from anyone with camera footage from the area at the time of the incident to make it available to us.”
“Anyone with information should contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061-214340 or Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111,” the spokesman added.
Mr Harvey, formerly of Malahide in Dublin, was living in Crecora. He is survived by his wife Denise and his children Kim and Jean.
His funeral Mass took place on Wednesday in Ss. Peter & Paul’s Church, Crecora, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
