Gardaí investigating a road traffic collision in which a man in his early 70s died are hoping a post mortem examination will clarify whether he died as a result of the collision or of a medical issue prior to the crash.
The man, who was from the Inchigeelagh area of Mid-Cork, was travelling on the Bantry Line, the R585, when his 4 X 4 left the road and struck a ditch at Shanlaragh near Dunmanway in West Cork just before 11am on Saturday morning.
The emergency services were alerted and the man, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was later removed to Cork University Hospital where a post mortem examination is due to be carried out on Sunday.
Gardaí say that the vehicle suffered only minimal damage in the collision and officers are hoping the post mortem will clarify whether the man died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash or whether his death was caused by some prior medical event such as a heart attack.
The road was closed for several hours and diversions put in place to allow a garda forensic crash investigator examine the scene.
The man’s 4 x4 was also examined by a garda PSV inspector to see if there was any mechanical fault in the vehicle which might have contributed to the crash.
A garda spokesman confirmed both the post mortem results and the results of all garda examinations will be included in a file which they will prepare for an inquest into the man’s death at the coroner’s court.
Gardaí have appealed to anyone who may have driven the Bantry Line between 10.30am and 11am on Saturday or have any information that might assist them in their investigation to contact Clonakilty Garda Station on 023-8821570 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
