A lorry carrying a crane knocked ESB power lines onto the M50 in north Dublin resulting in traffic chaos.
The lorry carrying a crane was travelling along the M50 between the Finglas Road exit to Kilshane Cross got caught in three Electricity Supply Board (ESB) power lines. The power lines were pulled down across the Finglas Roundabout, causing traffic chaos. Traffic was at a standstill for hours with tailbacks up to eight miles long in either direction.
Some motorists were stuck in their cars for as long as five hours as tailbacks extended to the West Link toll bridge.
ESB crews were on the scene in minutes with crews working to repair or remove the lines. By 6.00 pm the M50 southbound lanes were clear but the northbound road was closed again causing further delays with traffic at a standstill for up to four miles.
While the areas is clear motorists are told to expect delays on the N2 and the M50 and traffic on the back roads around Dublin Airport.
Nobody was hurt in the incident and there was no loss of power to the area.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 31 May 2001. The reporter is Eileen Whelan.
