Investigators suspect the driver lost control after a medical emergency
26.08.2026. Garda and recovery units attend to a serious RTC on the M50 Junction 10, towards Tallaght(Image: Sam Boal/Collins Photos)
Rush hour traffic on Ireland’s busiest motorway came to a halt on Wednesday after a car toppled on to it from an overhead flyover.
The accident happened on the M50 in south County Dublin at around 3.20pm on Wednesday – and led to significant delays as traffic came to a standstill for several hours. Live updates can be seen here.
The single-vehicle accident happened on the southbound carriageway at Ballymount, or Junction 10.
Sources tell the Irish Mirror an older couple were in the car and driving on the correct side of the road on the flyover above the M50 when the driver appeared to lose control.
A screengrab from a video showing the aftermath of the incident
The car then smashed through the heavy railings on the flyover – and toppled on to the M50 itself.
One theory is that the driver had actually been on the M50 driving normally and came off at the Ballymount off ramp before losing control at the junction leading to the flyover.
Traffic was at a standstill
Gardai are also investigating the theory that the driver lost control after suffering a medical emergency.
And sources stressed the car had been driving on the correct side of the road and there was no suspicion of any criminality.
“It was just a tragic accident,” one source said.
Gardai at the scene
And they also said only one vehicle was involved in the incident.
There was major disruption on the M50 for several hours on Wednesday – with tailbacks stretching as far north as the exit for the M1 and Airport.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland warned of significant delays on the M50.
It said: “Between J9 (N7) Red Cow and J10 Ballymount (Dublin). Road closure due to a multi vehicle collision. All lanes affected.
”Significant delays to your journey will occur. Please use a different route for your journey.”
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