Two men critically hurt in weekend crashes

Two men have been left in a critical condition, fighting for their lives, after two separate weekend road smashes just 20 minutes apart. On Saturday night, 22nd October, at around 11.30pm, the driver of a car lost control of his vehicle in wet conditions and crashed into a ditch on a stretch of road at Sicily, Balrath. The collision and the driver's injuries were described as "serious" by gardaí and the fire service was called to cut the sole occupant from the grey Renault Megane hatchback, which was badly damaged. The man, a 38-year-old Brazilian national with a Beauparc, Navan, address, who was travelling from the direction of the N2 towards Duleek at the time of the collision. He was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and then transferred to the Mater Hospital in Dublin, where he is understood to be in a critical condition. The scene was examined by gardaí on Sunday morning and the road was later reopened to traffic. On the same night, just 20 minutes later at around 11.50pm, a second serious collision occurred at Greenan, Drumconrath. A car driven by a 26-year-old male, with an Ardee address, collided with a tree, again in wet conditions. He was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and is also understood to be in a critical condition. Gardaí are appealing for information on the accident, which saw the victim having to be cut from a grey Fiat Punto by the fire service. The next morning, gardaí examined the scene and re-opened the road. Gardai are asking motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads this week as a result of heavy rainfall throughout the county. A number of roads are waterlogged and lying water on roads are making for dangerous driving conditions. Drivers are asked to leave extra time for their journeys, ensure their lights are on and be aware of local driving conditions. Witnesses to either collision are asked to contact the gardaí in Navan on (046) 907 9930, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.