Gardai are examining a stretch of road where four young women were killed in an horrific crash.

The crash happened on the N17 north of Tuam, Co Galway on Tuesday night when the car in which the women were travelling crashed into a lorry.

Three of the women died at the scene - a notorious accident black spot - while a fourth was taken to Mayo General Hospital, where doctors were unable to save her. A 21-year-old woman, believed to be the driver of the car, is fighting for her life in hospital.

The five women are all understood to have been studying arts at NUI Galway.

The 42-year-old driver of the lorry was also taken to hospital with injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening.

The stretch of road between the villages of Ballindine, Co Mayo, and Milltown in Co Galway remained sealed off as gardai investigated the scene. The cause of the crash is not yet known, although driving conditions in the area had been poor with very heavy rain.

Meanwhile, a 58-year-old woman died in a single vehicle crash on Tuesday morning in Williamstown, Co Galway. A five-year-old girl also in the car was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A 31-year-old man also died in Longford on Tuesday after the car he was driving crashed into another vehicle at Agharra at about 2.30pm.

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy offered his condolences to the families involved. "It is under investigation by the Garda Siochana but my sympathy goes out to the parents and friends of the whole communities where these young people were," Mr Murphy said.

The tragedies bring to 211 the number of people killed on the country's road so far this year, down 40 on the same period last year.