Girl (3) dies but twin brother survives 2-car crash

A three-year old girl died after sustaining catastrophic injuries in a horrific motorway crash - but her brother survived and is stable in hospital.

The incident occurred on the M20 near Patrickswell, Co Limerick at around 5pm on Saturday evening.

The girl's twin brother who was also traveling in the car, was taken by ambulance from the scene to University Hospital Limerick, where his condition is believed to be stable.

He said to have sustained minor head and facial injuries.

The twins' mother, who was driving the car, is understood to have swerved to avoid another vehicle, travelling in the opposite direction of the motorway. This car ended up crashing into the steel barriers separating the northbound and southbound lanes of the motorway.

The car carrying the two children and their parents rolled over a number of times before coming to a rest on its roof.

Emergency first responders performed CPR on the toddler in their best efforts to save her, however she was pronounced dead in hospital on Saturday night.

The deceased girl's parents and brother are being treated in hospital for minor injuries and shock.

No one else was seriously injured in the incident.

While it is still unclear where the family were from, local sources indicate they may not live in the area.

Gardai closed the section of the motorway where the crash occurred, for a technical examination of the scene by officers from the Garda collision Investigation unit.

The young girl's death is the 132nd road fatality of the year so far, and the 12th so far in September.