An elderly woman has died after being knocked down by a lorry in Main Street in Macroom, Co Cork.
The woman, who was in her seventies, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body has been taken to the mortuary at Cork University Hospital.
The accident occurred shortly after the new 8km Macroom bypass, which will ease traffic congestion in the town was officially opened by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Mayor of County Cork Cllr Danny Collins.
A technical examination of the scene has been carried out by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. However, the Main Street in Macroom remains closed and local diversions are in place.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the Main Street between 12.30pm and 1pm today (1pm) are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Macroom Garda Station on 026 20590, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
The woman was knocked down by one of the last lorries to drive through the Main Street prior to the opening of the bypass to the public.
The new bypass is expected to lead to a 40 per cent decrease in the volume of traffic in the town
Emergency services attended at the scene. The elderly woman was pronounced dead a short time later. The driver of the lorry was shaken but physically uninjured in the incident.
The Garda Press Office has indicated that local diversions are in place as the scene of the collision remains closed off to vehicles. Investigations are ongoing.