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 occurred shortly before 1pm today.
Gardaí are appealing to motorists to avoid the town centre if at all possible.
The collision happened shortly after the new 8km Macroom bypass, which will ease traffic congestion in the town was officially opened by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Mayor of County Cork Cllr 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.
The new bypass is expected to lead to a 40% decrease in the volume of traffic in the town.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and the elderly woman was pronounced dead a short time later. The driver of the lorry was shaken but physically uninjured in the incident.
Garda Press say local diversions are in place as the scene of the collision remains closed off to vehicles. Investigations are ongoing.
