Two people were hospitalised after an incident at a Laois St Patrick’s Day parade this morning.
The incident occurred opposite the Cosby National School on Main Street in Stradbally before 11.30am St Patrick’s Day mass when a car collided with a small steam vehicle.
The small steam engine was pulling a trailer when they were struck from behind by a car travelling from the Carlow direction.
Both the driver of the steam engine and the woman in the trailer were knocked to the ground and were assisted immediately by onlookers attending the parade.
Gardai were present during the parade and attended the scene immediately while emergency services were also on hand.
Both injured parties were transferred to hospital by ambulance. It’s understood the driver of the car, who is local to the Laois area, was uninjured.
The Stradbally parade started at the Rathmore Road at the Portlaoise end of the town and went through the town, going around Court Square and back to mass.
The incident happened towards the end of the event as the steam engines and lorries participating had brought up the rear of the parade, following on after all the various community groups.
“Gardaí responded to reports of road traffic collision on the main street in Stradbally, Co.Laois at approximately 11.30am this morning, Sunday, 17th March 2024,” said the Garda Press Office in a statement.
“A woman (30s) and a male youth were taken to Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. No arrests have been made.”
SEE ALSO – Check out all our photo coverage of the St Patrick’s Day parades here
