Four young women, believed to be college students, have been killed in a horrific crash in County Galway.

A fifth woman is also fighting for her life following the head-on collision with a truck on the N17 between Ballindine and Milltown at half past seven yesterday evening.

The truck driver received serious injuries but his condition is not believed to be life threatening.

Road accident investigators will begin to examine the scene this morning, in a bid to establish what exactly happened.

Mayor of County Galway Coucillor Tom Mc Hugh says everyone is devastated by the tragedy.

“It’s most unfortunate what’s actually happened here” he said.

“The vocation is just south of Ballindine – approximately a liitle over a mile from Ballindine village itself”.

“I know the area well”.

“Details will unfold as the morning progresses this morning but it’s a terrible tragedy – everybody is very upset over it” he added.