Boy, 12, dies and dad injured after train crashes into car at level crossing

A boy was killed and his dad was hurt after a train smashed into their car at a level crossing in Ireland.

The crash happened at a rural rail crossing in Kiltybo near Ballyhaunis in County Mayo yesterday evening.

The 12-year-old boy was in the car with his dad when a train from Dublin struck the vehicle.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident at about 8.45pm.

The boy succumbed to his injuries and he was declared dead at the scene.

His dad, aged in his late 40s, who was the driver of the car, was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Passengers on the Westport-bound train disembarked uninjured.

The boy, who has not been publicly named, was returning home after training with his dad, the Irish Independent reports.

A local resident told the outlet: ‘Everyone is devastated. He is a beautiful, beautiful boy and they are a loving and happy family.

‘How could this happen to them? We are all in disbelief.’

Forensic investigators remain at the scene for a technical examination.

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