An elderly woman has died after being struck by a lorry in Main Street, Macroom this lunchtime
The street remains closed to traffic following the incident which happened shortly before 1pm.
Gardaí are appealing to motorists to avoid the town centre if at all possible.
The collision happened shorly after the new 8 km Macroom bypass, which will ease traffic congestion in the town, was opened by the Taoiseach and the Mayor of County Cork, Danny Collins.
Poignantly, the woman was knocked down by one of the last lorries to drive through the main street, prior to the opening of the bypass to the public.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and the elderly woman was pronounced dead a short time later.
Gardaí say local diversion are in place and the scene remains closed off to vehicles.
Investigations are ongoing
