A garda is in a serious condition in hospital tonight after a car smashed into his patrol vehicle.
It is understood the garda received severe crush injuries to a leg along with other wounds when his unmarked squad car was hit while it was stationary.
The incident happened at around 7pm as the officer was responding to a breakdown on the N25 Waterford to Cork road outside Youghal.
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Driving conditions were described as dark and wet, with a lot of surface water.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with paramedics working furiously to save the man’s leg amid fears it might require amputation.
Once they had stabilised him, he was taken straight away to Cork University Hospital, where he was brought straight into emergency surgery.
Sources said the garda was seriously ill and there are fears that he could be left with life-changing injuries.
One said: “He was helping out someone whose car was broken down when his own car was hit.
“Four ambulances were sent to the scene and he was given an escort as far as CUH.
“He’s in a bad way and there’s a lot of concern for him.”
A section of the N25 remains sealed off tonight ahead of the arrival of accident scene investigators tomorrow.
In a statement, gardai said: “Gardaí are currently at scene of a serious road traffic collision that occurred on the N25 at the Youghal bypass, Co. Cork this evening Sunday 13th November, 2022
“Shortly before 7p.m. this evening an unmarked Garda patrol car was assisting a broken down vehicle on the N25, at the Youghal bypass. The unmarked patrol car was struck by another vehicle.
"A Garda member has suffered serious injuries and has been removed from the scene to Cork University Hospital where he remains in a critical condition. The driver of the other vehicle was also removed to Cork University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
“The N25 at the Youghal bypass is currently closed and the scene is being preserved. Local diversions are in place.”
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