Four people are being treated in hospital following an incident involving three cars and a wandering animal in Clare late last night.
The collision occurred shortly before mid-night on the southbound lanes of the N18 near Cratloe.
It’s understood that shortly before midnight last night, two cars collided with a cow, just beyond junction 5 of the N18 at Cratloe, and that a third vehicle then struck one of the cars.
Units from Clare’s County Fire Service from Shannon Town and Limerick City were dispatched to the incident, along with several ambulances and Gardaí.
The road was closed from the junction 5 flyover and traffic diverted away from the area while emergency service dealt with the incident, with fire crews having to use cutting equipment to help free three casualties from one vehicle.
It’s believed four people were taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment following the collision, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Fire crews and motorway maintenance personnel spent some time clearing the road and making it safe before it was reopened at around 2.00am.
The animal is reported to have died following the collision.
The incident is being investigated by Gardaí.
