A woman has died and another woman was seriously injured after they were discovered on the side of the road early on Sunday morning in Co Galway.
The woman in her early 20s died after falling from a van when the back doors of the vehicle opened as it was turning at a junction near Moycullen, about 10km west of Galway city.
It is understood there were seven people in the van at the time of the incident, which happened at 2.20am at the junction with the Barna Rd on the N59 between Galway and Moycullen.
Gardaí believe that two people were in front of the vehicle with five others in the rear of the van when the tragedy happened.
The deceased woman died from injuries she suffered when she fell from the vehicle.
A second woman was injured when she too fell from the vehicle as it turned on to the Barna Rd.
She was taken to University Hospital Galway where her condition was y described as stable.
A post mortem was due to be carried on the body of the deceased young woman.
It is believed the van the women were travelling in was not involved in a collision.
None of the other five occupants of the vehicle were injured. They were helping gardaí with their investigation into the tragedy on Sunday
It is understood that the group had been attending a social event earlier that night.
No arrests were made in relation to the incident.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information, particularly those who may have been travelling on the N59 Galway-Moycullen Road or the Barna-Moycullen Road between the hours of 1.45am and 3.15am to contact them at Salthill Garda Station on 091 514720, the Garda Confidential Line, 1800 666111 or any Garda station.
Additional reporting: PA