TWO FRENCH tourists were killed yesterday when their car plunged into a river after leaving the road at a notorious traffic blackspot in Connemara.
The two men, one in his 60s and the other in his 40s, died in the incident which occurred just before noon. Two women, who were back-seat passengers, were injured.
The women were airlifted to Galway University Hospital where they were last night being treated for injuries which were described as not life-threatening.
The four French tourists were driving in the north Connemara area along a winding road at Lettergesh East, about three kilometres from the village of Tullycross. Driving conditions were poor with misty rain throughout the morning.
Their car, a silver Ford Mondeo, left the road and rolled several metres down a steep embankment and into a river. It is believed the men were trapped in the car and drowned.
The alarm was quickly raised and people passing by and locals rushed to assist the victims, but they struggled against the flowing water in the river.
The Cleggan unit of the Irish Coast Guard was alerted along with Clifden fire brigade and the Garda, while two ambulances also rushed to the scene.
The four were taken from the car and attempts were made to resuscitate the two men.
Dr Irene Nee, a local GP, treated the two women, who were taken to a nearby house before the Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter arrived to take them to hospital in Galway city.
Efforts to save the two French men failed and they were pronounced dead at the scene.
The scene of the accident was sealed off pending a detailed examination by Garda forensic collision experts as a full investigation into the tragedy was launched.
Michael Mullin, an officer with Cleggan Coast Guard, said every effort was made to save the two men. "Local people and passersby made heroic efforts to help the people in the car and they tried their level best to rescue them.
"There was great co-operation between all the emergency services and our thoughts are now with the two injured women and the families of those who have died," said Mr Mullin.
An appeal has been issued by gardaí at Clifden (095-22500) for witnesses to the incident.
The incident brings the number of deaths on Irish roads so far this year to 178, compared to 200 for the corresponding period last year.