Several witnesses to horrific Enfield crash come forward

The 37-year-old man who died after the 4x4 jeep he was driving was crushed in a collision with a Bus Eireann coach on Monday morning has been named as Cathal O"Leary of Glen Abhainn Park, Enfield. The horrific accident occurred at around 6.40am on Monday morning at the roundabout linking the old N4 and the ring road in Enfield. Mr O"Leary had just left his home in Enfield in his Toyota Landcruiser and was driving towards Dublin when the bus, which was travelling towards Enfield, appears to have crossed the roundabout, become airborne and partially landed on the jeep, killing the driver instantly. Miraculously, the man"s partner, who was the front seat passenger, received only minor injuries, but was deeply traumatised. She was taken to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and was released later that evening. The Bus Eireann coach was not in service at the time and had no passengers on board. The driver was on his way from the Broadstone Depot in Dublin to Enfield to begin the 6.50am service to Dublin when the accident happened. The bus driver suffered back pain and shock following the incident. The road was closed until 2.45pm on Monday for technical examinations to be carried out as the Garda fatal investigation unit and scenes of crime unit examined the scene. Enfield Gardai are leading the investigation and it is understood that a number of witnesses have come forward. Sergeant Robert Harrison said that anyone who has not yet come forward and who has any information on the accident should contact Enfield Garda Station. Bus Eireann has also launched an investigation into the fatal accident. A spokesperson for Bus Eireann said that the bus had undergone routine independent assessment on 10th February. He said that Bus Eireann is currently investigating the circumstances of the tragic accident and will assist the Gardai in their enquiries. The spokesperson said Bus Eireann would like to extend its sympathy to the family and friends of the dead man and wished the passenger and the bus driver a speedy recovery. It is understood the bus driver had been very familiar with the route and drove on that route most days of his working week. He had worked with Bus Eireann for a year and before that worked for a private operator for several years. Pat Daly lives close to the roundabout and said he was getting ready to go to work when he heard a 'terrible commotion'. 'It was not like a bang, it went on for a couple of seconds. I thought a lorry must have turned over and was sliding along the road,' he said. He said he ran outside and jumped across the fence and saw the jeep but did not see the bus at first because it had gone down an embankment into a field. 'I knew straight away it was bad news. The side (of the jeep) facing me was the side with all the damage,' he said. A nurse came on the scene and attempted CPR but was unsuccessful. Mr Daly went to the field where the bus was about 20 yards away and said the engine was ticking over and the driver was sitting in the seat. There were no passengers on the bus and he said the driver was complaining of back and neck injuries. Mr Daly said the bus must have gone into the air and landed on the jeep and that this was the only way the jeep could have become so damaged. He said there had been a number of accidents at the roundabout which would not always be reported and that vehicles often hit the roundabout. He said that two or three years ago, a lorry carrying hospital material turned over there. Mr Daly said the rumble strips are not enough to slow traffic down. He added that, on a frosty morning, he would hear cars skidding as they come up to the roundabout. Local councillor William Carey said it was not uncommon to see cars stuck on top of the roundabout that would have gone straight across it. He said he was not aware of any other fatal accidents. Cllr Carey extended his sympathies to Mr O"Leary"s family. Meanwhile, Gardai are investigating a single car collision at Drumlargan, Summerhill, on Sunday evening in which a 28-year-old man was critically injured. The man was the driver and only occupant of a green Rover 400 hatchback car which hit a wall at Drumlargan at around 8.20pm. The man suffered seriouos injuries and was taken to Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan, but was transferred later that evening by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital. It is understood the victim suffered head injuries and internal injuries and remains in a critical but stable condition in Beaumont.