A five-year-old girl died and nine people were injured, two critically, in a multiple pile-up in Co Limerick today.
The girl was a back seat passenger in a car when a lorry collided with it from behind.
The car was shunted into two other cars in front triggering a series of crashes, gardai said.
It is understood that the passengers in the three cars were all members of the same family travelling home in convoy from a holiday.
It is also believed that the dead girl’s twin sister was injured in the accident, although her injuries are not life-threatening.
Five ambulances and three fire engines were called to the scene at Cummeen on the N21 between Limerick city and Rathkeale.
Nine patients were taken to Limerick Regional Hospital where two were said to be in a critical condition. The others had injuries which were not life-threatening.
The girl was dead on arrival.
A garda spokesman said the girl had not yet been identified but confirmed she was five-years-old.
Officers have begun an investigation into the cause of the accident and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.