Woman suffered fatal injuries in collision on N17
The high number of fatalities on Mayo's roads was highlighted at the inquest.
A supermarket employee died from multiple injuries sustained in a traffic accident on a notoriously dangerous stretch of road in Mayo, an inquest has heard.
Berlin native Andrea Gornowicz, aged 58, of Old Park House, Castlemagarret, Claremorris, died on May 16th last after being involved in a three-vehicle accident on the N17 near her home. Ms Gornowicz was a popular member of the staff of Tesco in Claremorris.
Sgt Paul Connolly, of Claremorris Garda Station, told the inquest at Swinford Courthouse that he attended the scene of the accident at the Castlemacgarrett junction on the N17 shortly after noon on May 16th last. Several people were carrying out CPR on the injured party but were unable to revive her and Ms Gornowicz was pronounced dead at the scene. Her remains were identified by her neighbour and friend, Ann Lynskey.
A post-mortem revealed that Ms Gornowicz suffered multiple injuries, including the fracture of the verterbrae, leading to serration of the aorta and massive internal bleeding. The cause of death was thus ascertained to be massive hemorrhage due to thoracic injury and trauma to the chest.
Coroner Pat O’Connor said a substantive inquest will take place once the garda investigation is complete.
Extending sympathy to the family of the deceased and to Ms Lynskey, who attended the inquest, the retiring coroner referred to the number of fatal accidents on the N17.
"Unfortunately over the years, I have had to deal with a number of incidents on the N17 and also the N5. I do know there is consciousness among the Road Safety Authority, Mayo County Council and the driving authorities regarding the dangers on the road but the irony is that these are among the best roads we have in the country, yet they have more incidents and tragedies and deaths on them.
"I do hope signage is looked at and blackspots clearly identified where these incidents occur and that speed is curtailed.
"Ultimately and unfortunately, here we have another victim of a road traffic accident but everyone who takes a car onto the road has responsibility and it is important we learn from these accidents and tragedies and the regrettable number of lives lost on our roads in Mayo already over the last 12 months.”
