Man, 40s, dies in horrific crash between motorbike & car in Carlow as gardai issue witness plea after road probe

A MAN has died following a horrific crash between a motorbike and a car in Co Carlow this morning.

The motorcyclist, aged his 40s, was brought by air ambulance to The Mater Hospital in Dublin where he was pronounced dead.

The crash took place on the R448 road at Ballyknockan in Leighlinbridge at around 9:30am this morning.

Gardai said the coroner has been notified and the road was closed for examination by a forensic team but has since reopened.

An investigation has been launched into the collision and gardai have asked the public to assist in the probe.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have been travelling on the R448 at Ballyknockan, Leighlinbridge between 8:45am and 9:45am on 2nd August 2026.

“Road users who may have camera footage (including dash cam or mobile phone recordings) are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station on 059 913 6620, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

The total number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year is 109.

During the same period last year, 95 people had died in collisions across Ireland.