Woman chasing dog across line fatally hit by train in Mayo
An investigation is underway after a woman died after being struck by a train in County Mayo this morning.
Her body has been removed to Mayo University Hospital where a post-mortem will be carried out.
It is believed the accident happened when the woman followed her dog onto the rail line at a level crossing.
No one travelling on the train was injured, and Irish Rail's Barry Kenny says bus transfers will operate on that stretch of line until further notice.
"For customers travelling to and from Ballina we are operating bus transfers from Claremorris serving Foxford and Ballina while the line is closed," he said.
"It's certainly unlikely to open again today and obviously we'll confirm to customers about the arrangements for tomorrow. We'll continue offering bus transfers while the line is closed and the investigation continues."
Manulla to Ballina services replaced by bus transfer Claremorris to Ballina at present - emergency services attending incident
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) April 1, 2017
A woman has been killed after being hit by a train in Co Mayo this morning.
It is understood she was chasing her dog across a level-crossing near Straide, at around 11.30am when the accident happened.
Services have been cancelled and the scene has been sealed off.
Gardaí in Castlebar are investigating.
Irish Rail's Barry Kenny says the line is unlikely to open again today and bus-transfers will continue until further notice.
"This was a tragic accident which took place at 11.30am this morning. A Manulla junction to Ballina passenger train struck and fatally injured a woman on the line," he said.
"The line has obviously been closed since. Emergency services are attending and investigations ongoing by ourselves and the Railway Accident Investigation Unit but it does appear at this point to be a tragic accident.
"Obviously our sympathies go to the family of the woman involved."
