Gardaí in Gort are searching for the driver of a white van that ploughed through a level crossing yesterday just seconds before a train was due to pass.
The van driver failed to stop following the incident which occurred at around 7.30pm at the unmanned crossing on the N18 Ennis to Galway road north of Gort.
The train driver was alerted to the incident by an automated system and was able to make a safe stop several hundred metres before the crossing.
Warning lights and an alarm were activated at the unmanned crossing ahead of the train’s arrival however a white van crashed through the barriers and drove off.
Both sides of the barrier were left mangled on the road and had to be replaced by engineers.
Motorists were held up for over an hour while Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that the 6.00pm train from Limerick to Galway was delayed for 55 minutes as result of the incident.
The company also said the incident is being investigated by Gardaí.
