Baby boy and young girl dead after Westmeath car fire as woman rushed to hospital with serious injuries
A BABY boy and young girl are dead following a car fire in Co Westmeath.
Gardai are “investigating all of the circumstances” surrounding the tragic deaths.
The incident occurred today at approximately 4pm near Multyfarnham.
Gardai and emergency services attended the scene, where the remains of the juvenile girl were discovered.
An infant boy was taken from the scene of the car fire and transported by ambulance to Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar.
He has since been pronounced dead.
An adult woman was rushed to a Dublin Hospital by air ambulance with serious injuries.
A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said: “Gardaí at Mullingar are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of an infant and a child following a fatal car fire in County Westmeath on Friday, 9th September, 2022.
“Shortly before 4pm, the alarm was raised after a car with three occupants was discovered on fire on a rural road at Lackan near Multyfarnham. Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to attend at that scene.
“An infant boy was removed from the scene by ambulance to Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar where he was pronounced dead.
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“The remains of a juvenile female were discovered inside the car at the scene. Her remains have been removed from the scene to Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore.”
They added: “An adult female was treated at the scene for burn injuries. She was taken by air ambulance to a Dublin Hospital. Her injures are understood to be serious but not thought to be life threatening.
“The scene has been examined tonight by the Garda Technical Bureau and remains preserved overnight. The car has been removed from the scene and will be further forensically examined tomorrow.
“The scene has also been examined by the State Pathologist, Dr. Sally Ann Collis. Dr. Collis will carry out post mortems on both deceased in the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore tomorrow. The Coroner has been notified.
“An incident room has been established at Mullingar Garda Station and Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation.
“A Garda family liaison officer has been appointed and An Garda Síochána will continue to support the family involved in conjunction with other state agencies.”
‘TERRIBLE TRAGEDY’
Gardai also asked that anybody with information contact investigating Gardaí at Mullingar at 044 9384000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 11 or any Garda Station.
Fianna Fail Cllr for the Mullingar-Kinnegad district John Shaw offered his sympathies to the family involved.
He said: “It seems to be a tragic incident.
“Your heart would go out to any family to lose children in that sort of circumstance.
“I don’t know much detail to be honest, but no matter what happened or how it happened, it’s a terrible tragedy for a quiet area like Multyfarnham.”
Sinn Fein TD for Longford and Westmeath Sorca Clarke also offered her condolences tonight.
She said: “Desperately sad news from Multyfarnham. Thoughts and deepest sympathies with the family, friends and loved ones.
“Thoughts also with the emergency services and all who came to their aid.”