Gardaí in Co Galway have issued an appeal to motorists take extreme care on the roads in the difficult wintertime driving conditions which are likely to occur in the coming months.
The appeal following a road accident in which two people were killed and 12 others were injured on the outskirts of Tuam last night.
The head-on collision between a bus and a van happened at around 7.45pm on the N17 around 5km from Tuam.
The driver of a bus, which was taking third level students from Co Mayo to Limerick City, and the driver of a van were both fatally injured in the accident.
12 of the students were treated at Galway University Hospital for minor injuries; they were later discharged
The bus driver who died in the crash was a 60-year-old Scottish man who had been living at Murrisk near Westport for the past 10 years.
The van driver, who was in his 30s, was a native of Carnmore. He had been living in Salthill.
The privately-owned coach was taking students from counties Sligo, Mayo and Galway to Limerick city.
The students, who are in their late teens and early 20s, are studying at the University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology and Mary Immaculate teacher training college.
Weather conditions at the time of the collision were described as particularly bad with heavy rain and high winds.
Body found in car in Westmeath
Separately, the body of a 36-year-old Brazilian man has been recovered from a car that crashed into a river outside Rochfortbridge in Co Westmeath.
It is believed the accident on the Rhode to Rochfortbridge road may have happened some time last night.
The overturned car was noticed by a member of the public this morning.
Gardaí and emergency services have concluded a search of the river and are satisfied the man was the sole occupant of the car.
