A man in his 80s has died after a double-decker bus ploughed into pedestrians in Dublin.
Two other people and the bus driver were also seriously injured in the crash and rushed to hospital.
The horror unfolded on the pedestrianised North Earl Street, near the junctions of Talbot and Marlborough streets, shortly after 12.30noon on Thursday.
The pedestrian in his 80s died at the scene, while a man in his 20s and a woman in her 30s were rushed to hospital. Their injuries were described as non-life-threatening, although the man’s injuries were additionally called serious.
The driver of the bus, a woman in her 50s, was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Photos of the scene showed the Bus Eireann vehicle with a smashed windscreen and a tent erected nearby.
Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly said on Thursday: ‘May I further thank the emergency services for their swift attendance on the scene and send my best wishes to those injured and wish them a speedy recovery, as well as to all those impacted by today’s event.’
An Garda Siochana responded to the incident with Dublin Fire Brigade and ambulances.
A man has died and three others were taken to hospital after a double-decker bus crashed into pedestrians in Dublin
The collision happened shortly after 12.30pm on Thursday, prompting a major emergency response as the area was sealed off
Images show the front windscreen of the bus smashed, with a tent erected and a cordon put in place
Gardai, who are treating the incident as a crash, said the probe into its cause is ongoing.
They have appealed for witnesses to to come forward.
Dublin Fire Brigade said more than 20 firefighters and advanced paramedics responded to the scene.
Luas Green Line services were suspended between Parnell Street and St Stephen’s Green for a time because of the incident, but reopened, initially with delays.
ESB and public lighting crews were also requested at the scene because a streetlight was down in the crash.
Bus Eireann said it was ‘deeply saddened’ to confirm there was a fatality and several injuries after its bus was involved in a ‘serious collision involving pedestrians’.
The company’s chief executive, Jean O’Sullivan, said: ‘We are profoundly saddened by this tragic incident.
‘On behalf of everyone at Bus Eireann, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, and our thoughts are with all those affected at this very difficult time.’
Bus Eireann said it is offering its full support to the relevant authorities as their investigations continue and will provide any additional assistance required.
Dramatic video footage from the scene shows people screaming and rushing to try and help those trapped beneath the bus, as sirens wail in the background
One witness who worked near the crash site told local media he heard a ‘really big noise’ before going out and calling the emergency services, adding that he saw one or two people trapped under the bus
Tanaiste Simon Harris said he was ‘deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic bus crash in Dublin city centre this afternoon’.
‘My thoughts are with the family of the person killed and with those injured,’ Mr Harris said.
‘I am very grateful to our emergency services for their response.’
‘I want to reassure Dubliners that the situation is being actively managed, and I would ask the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to carry out their work.’
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam, said: ‘My thoughts are with those who have been injured and with their families at this difficult time.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, who is an elected TD for Dublin Central, said she was ‘devastated’ to learn of the crash and thanked emergency responders.
‘My thoughts are with the family of the deceased and all of the people who were struck or caught up in this collision, with their families, friends, and loved ones, and with everyone affected by what must be a very frightening experience.’
