A woman who died after being struck by a train on Saturday while chasing after her dog, has been named.
The incident happened occurred at a level crossing in Knockshambally, near Straide, Foxford, in Co Mayo
Bridie McHale , who was a pensioner and mother of two, died at the scene , as did her collie dog.
“Our understanding is she was a pedestrian out walking her dog,”a spokesman for Iarnród Éireann said. “The dog broke free from her, ran up the line, and she went after it.
“There was a train approaching. The driver applied the emergency brake and sounded the horn but was unable to prevent striking the woman. She was tragically killed.”
She was struck by a passenger train travelling from Manulla Junction to Ballina. There were about 20 passengers on the feeder train at the time. None of them was injured. Gardai and Irish Rail have begun an investigation.
The victim’s remains were to the mortuary at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar for a postmortem .
“We are all numbed with shock over what happened and the loss of such a lovely lady,”a neighbour said.
Prayers for the dead pedestrian were said at Masses on Sunday in the Straide/Foxford area.
There have been a number of accidents over the years at the level crossing concerned. In 2008, a retired local farmer was killed when he was struck by a passenger train at the same level crossing which is not automated and unattended.
