A TRUCK DRIVER managed (somehow) to crash into two bridges on the northside of Dublin tonight, leading to a temporary rail shutdown on two lines out of the city centre, and inconveniencing thousands of commuters.

The trailer was loaded with blocks of concrete – and witnesses said some of the load was broken on impact with the bridges, with debris falling onto the road below.

A Dublin Bus driver managed to overtake the truck and warn the driver, who pulled over after striking the second bridge.

A spokesperson for Irish Rail said the driver had managed to scale the “pinnacle of stupidity” and had clearly given little thought to the danger posed by his actions.

The delays

The truck first hit North Strand Bridge and then Amien Street Bridge as it headed toward the city centre from the northside.

Train services to Clontarf and to Drumcondra were initially suspended from Tara Street. They re-opened gradually as engineers carried out checks – first on one bridge and then the other.

Both lines were eventually re-opened before 8.30pm.

The Dublin Bus driver spotted the first bridge strike happening – and caught up with the truck, overtaking it after it hit the bridge at Amien Street.

Barry Kenny of Irish Rail said tonight that the company was “very grateful” to the driver, who had responded quickly to the developing situation.

No-one was harmed in the incident, and Irish Rail has been answering questions from incredulous Twitter users in its aftermath – even retweeting the following:

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