Navan car crash leads to major river search operation

A MAJOR search for a person believed to have entered the River Boyne in the heart of Navan at the site of a serious road traffic collision in which one person was injured, was stood down this evening with the incident declared a false alarm.

The drama began at 1:45 today (Wednesday) on the bridge at the junction of the Dublin-Navan road where it meets the Athlumney Road and opposite the former Meath Chronicle premises when local driving instructor, Barry Fitzpatrick's vehicle was struck by a dark colured 4x4 vehicle and ended up on the pavement overlooking the river.

Mr Fitzpatrick was giving driving tuition at the time of the frightening incident. Mr Fitzpatrick had to be cut from the vehicle and suffered minor injuries and was conveyed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for treatment.

As emergency services dealt with that incident, Gardai received reports of a person entering the water at the same location.

Gardai, Navan/Trim Fire and Rescue Service personnel as well as crews from Meath River Rescue rushed to the scene where a major search operation got underway. The Garda helicopter was also scrambled with the incident causing major disruption to traffic making its way through the town. The Athlumney road/Kentstown road was closed for a time.

By 6pm it was established and confirmed that there was no one in the water and the emergency services were stood down.

In a statement Meath River Rescue said it received a call from a member of the Gardai at 2:48pm regarding a person who may have entered water but after a short search was stood down as a false alarm.