A man believed to be in his 80s was killed on Wednesday afternoon in a road traffic accident after he was struck by a tractor in Custume Place.
The tractor was travelling westbound across the town bridge when the tragic accident ocurred at a little after 3pm, but it is not known yet which way the victim was crossing.
The emergency medical technicians spent nearly half an hour at the scene attempting to resucitate the injured party, but he was pronounced dead at the scene at around 3.30pm. At least two doctors were in attendance.
A Garda forensics team conducted a full survey of the scene, and they removed the tractor for closer examination.
Because of the nature of the injuries received, gardaí had to screen the deceased with a number of sheets, and did so until the removal of the remains by Flynns Funeral Directors at 4.15pm.
The driver of the tractor was treated at the scene in an ambulance for shock.
Roads in central Athlone were re-opened within two hours after a professional Garda operation under Inspector Nicholas Farrell.
At the time of going to print the deceased had yet to be named by Gardaí.
