Delivery driver (40s) dies after car enters water at Grand Canal in Kildare

Incident occurred at about 8pm on Sunday night near Kilmeague

Garda divers at the scene of the incident. Photograph: Colin Keegan / Collins
Garda divers at the scene of the incident. Photograph: Colin Keegan / Collins

A delivery driver was killed when he accidentally reversed his car into the Grand Canal in Co Kildare and was drowned.

The man, a local in his 40s, made a takeaway delivery of food to a caravan based near the canal. As he went to leave, it is believed he reversed his car in the dark into the water.

The incident occurred at about 8pm. The man was recovered from the water and treated by a crew from the National Ambulance Service. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

His body has been removed from the scene and a postmortem will take place.

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The scene is being held for examination by forensic collision investigators and the Garda Water Unit. Access along the canal at this location has been restricted.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Several locals heard the splash as the car went into the water, but to date there has been no eyewitnesses to the tragedy.

Those with camera footage, including motorists with dashcam, from the area at the time are asked to provide it to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Naas Garda station on 045 884300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times