The crash in Ardrahan Co. Galway where a man in his sixties was killed and 2 gardai were injured

A GSOC investigation into the circumstances of a fatal crash which killed one and left two gardai injured has identified "no Garda misconduct".

Two GSOC investigators travelled to Galway this morning to review the scene of a crash where the 66-year-old nursing home resident was killed.

He died after he was hit by a car while on the side of a road after midnight.

Two gardai who were searching for the man were left with non life-threatening injuries in the incident.

It is believed they both suffered broken bones.

A spokesperson for GSOC said this afternoon: "GSOC has now examined the circumstances of the fatal incident which occurred near Gort, Co. Galway, this morning and has identified no Garda misconduct. The Garda Síochána investigation continues."

It is understood that the man who died had earlier been reported missing from a nursing home, and gardai were out searching for him.

It is understood that the two gardai had located the man walking along the road not far from the nursing home, and that the garda patrol car had been stopped and that the officer had got out to him.

It is reported that while the gardai were engaged in conversation with the man a car traveling on the same road crashed into the stationary garda car.

The elderly man was killed and the two gardai - who were outside the patrol car - were injured in the collision.

"Gardai in Gort are investigating a two-vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the N18 approximately 2 kms on the Galway side of Ardrahan shortly after 12.30am," a Garda spokesman said.

"The male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene and his body taken to University Hospital Galway. The two Gardai were taken to University Hospital Galway with injuries described as non life threatening. They remain in hospital."

The driver of the other car - a male in his 40s - was arrested at the scene and taken to Gort Garda Station and has since been released.

This stretch of the N18 is currently closed to facilitate an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local diversions are in place.

Two investigators from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) travelled to the scene this morning.

Gardai wish to appeal for witnesses to contact Gort Garda Station on 091-636400, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

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