Updated: 6.30pm
A woman aged in her 70s has died after being knocked down by a lorry in Macroom, Co Cork.
The collision occurred near the new 8km Macroom bypass, which was officially opened on Friday by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Danny Collins.
Vintage car owners and other drivers who attended the official opening drove down the new route at midday, two hours before it was officially opened to all motorists. The new bypass is expected to lead to a 40 per cent decrease in the volume of traffic in the town.
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 attended at the scene where the elderly woman was pronounced dead. Her body has since been taken to the mortuary at Cork University Hospital.
A technical examination of the scene has concluded, however the road remains closed to traffic, with local diversions in place.
The driver of the lorry was not injured in the incident.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to contact Macroom Garda station on 026-205 90, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666 111, or any Garda station.
