A FEMALE passenger in a car that collided with a bus in Limerick County almost three weeks ago has tragically died.

The woman was airlifted to Cork University Hospital with “serious injuries” following a car crash near Ballylanders on Saturday afternoon, October 26.

Health checks of all those on the bus, estimated to be approximately 20 children, were carried out at the scene on R513. None required emergency hospital treatment.

There was a major response from emergency services with helicopters, firefighters, paramedics and gardai arriving at the scene.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is currently investigating the fatal collision. The driver of the car is understood to be an off-duty member of An Garda Siochana. It is understood he is not a serving member of the Limerick Garda Division.

A spokesperson for GSOC said at the time that they had received guidance from it. A Garda Síochána It’s about a road accident in Ballylanders.

“The referral was made by a garda superior under section 102(1) of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005.

A GSOC spokesman said: “The matter is currently being investigated by GSOC in accordance with section 91 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. Therefore no further comment will be made at this time.”

Section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for an independent investigation of any matter which indicates that the conduct of a member of An Garda Síochána may have resulted in death or serious harm to a person.

The GSOC called for witnesses to come forward in October.

“GSOC would like to hear from anyone who witnessed a traffic accident on the road or saw the gray Toyota Auris car driving in the area before the collision, or who may have captured it on CCTV, dashcam and/or mobile device.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact GSOC on 0818 600 800 or [email protected].”

GSCO was contacted this Friday following the death of the female passenger.

A spokesman said: “This investigation remains open. Therefore, GSOC is not in a position to comment further at this time.”