The community of Carlow is reeling from the devastating news of a tragic car crash that claimed the lives of two young men and left two others seriously injured. The single-vehicle collision, which occurred on the N80 in Leagh, Rathoe, has left families heartbroken and authorities scrambling for answers.

This tragedy is particularly poignant as it took place on the one-year anniversary of another fatal crash on the same stretch of road. Local leaders and residents are calling for immediate action to improve road safety, fearing that this known blackspot will continue to claim lives if changes are not made swiftly.

A Deadly Night on the N80

The crash occurred in the early hours of Friday morning at around 1:15 am, when a black Audi A6 carrying four young people left the road and crashed into a tree.

The victims have been identified as:

• Bhargav Chitturi (23) – the driver of the vehicle.
• Suresh Cherukuri (24) – a rear passenger.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other occupants, a man and a woman in their 20s, were rushed to St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The impact of the crash was so severe that emergency services had to work for hours to secure the scene and assist the victims.

A Community in Shock and Mourning

The tragedy has left the Indian community in Carlow devastated, as all four victims were members of this close-knit group. Three of the occupants were either current students or graduates of South East Technological University (SETU), and one had recently begun working at MSD, a pharmaceutical company in Carlow.

Local officials, including Superintendent Anthony Farrell, have expressed their condolences and assured that Gardaí are working closely with the Indian community to provide support.

“The Carlow community is in deep shock after this tragedy. We have reached out to support the families here and their loved ones back home in India,” said Superintendent Farrell.

The Dangers of the ‘Leagh Bends’

The crash took place at a location known as ‘Leagh Bends’, a notorious blackspot where three other young people lost their lives on the same day exactly a year ago.

• On January 26, 2024, Daryl Culbert (21), Katie Graham (19), and Michael Kelly (25) died in a similar crash on this very stretch of road.
• The repeated loss of life at this location has prompted urgent calls for road safety improvements.

Carlow Fine Gael Councillor Brian O’Donoghue acknowledged that efforts were underway to improve the road:

“This stretch of road is well known for its dangers. The council has already started the process of acquiring land to modify the road, and a planning application has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála. While this is no comfort to the families, we are doing everything possible to make this road safer.”

Road Conditions and Speed a Focus of Investigation

Superintendent Farrell confirmed that Gardaí are investigating all possible factors, with a specific focus on road conditions and speed.

• The road temperature at the time of the crash was approximately 4°C, creating potentially slippery conditions.
• The vehicle veered onto the wrong side of the road before striking the tree.
• Speeding has not been ruled out as a factor.

Authorities are urging any motorists with dash-cam footage from the N80 between midnight and 1:15 am to come forward to assist in the investigation.

Calls for Urgent Safety Measures

Following this latest tragedy, local leaders, families, and residents are demanding immediate road safety measures, fearing that more lives will be lost if action is not taken.

Councillor Will Paton expressed frustration, saying:

“We cannot afford to wait another year and face another tragedy. The necessary road realignments must be completed urgently.”

Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor echoed this sentiment:

“The community is heartbroken. We must do everything possible to prevent further deaths on this road.”

A Heartbreaking Anniversary

For the families of the three young people who died in the same location last year, this latest tragedy has reopened deep wounds.

“This is like reliving a nightmare. Another two young lives lost in the exact same place, on the same day. It’s unbearable,” said one local resident.

Councillor Paton, visibly shaken, added:

“As a father and grandfather, this has completely knocked the wind out of me. My heart goes out to these families. The pain they are experiencing is unimaginable.”

A Nation Mourns Yet Again

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin addressed the tragedy, emphasizing that Ireland must prioritize road safety to prevent further loss of life.

“We cannot continue to lose young people to these preventable accidents. It’s time for action,” he said.

The death toll on Irish roads has already reached 15 fatalities in January 2025 alone, sparking renewed concerns about driving conditions, road safety measures, and enforcement of speed limits.

Final Thoughts

This tragic Carlow crash has left a community in mourning, families shattered, and renewed calls for urgent road safety improvements.

As investigations continue, authorities must ensure that meaningful action is taken to prevent further tragedies. For now, the families of Bhargav Chitturi and Suresh Cherukuri grieve their loved ones, while the survivors fight to recover from their injuries.

Carlow has seen too many lives lost on its roads. The time for action is now.

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