A child is in critical condition in hospital after a crash which also saw four others injured.
The horror incident happened when two vehicles collided in the Knocknaboul area of Ballydesmond, Co Cork, at 4.45pm on Friday.
A young boy, aged 11, was airlifted to Limerick Regional Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
The driver and three other passengers were also brought to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the other car was uninjured.
Gardai are now appealing for any potential witnesses to the crash to come forward.
A spokesman said: "Gardaí are investigating a road traffic collision involving two vehicles which occurred in the Knocknaboul area of Ballydesmond, Co. Cork, on 26/06/2020 at approximately 4:45pm.
"An 11-year-old male child, a passenger in one of the vehicles, was airlifted from the scene to Limerick Regional Hospital. His condition is described as critical.
"The driver and three other passengers of the same vehicle were also taken to Limerick Regional Hospital with non life threatening injuries. The driver of the other vehicle received no injuries.
"Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have carried out an examination of the scene and the road has now re-opened.
"Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision, particularly any road users who were travelling in the area at the time who may have dash cam footage, to contact Macroom Garda Station on 026 20590 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111."
