Only survivor of crash that killed 5 friends carried to safety by ‘angel’ passerby seconds before explosion

A heroic bystander pulled the only survivor of a car crash that killed five of his friends to safety seconds before their car exploded.

The victims were named as Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland.

The group were travelling together on their way to Dundalk for a night out on Saturday.

A sixth person who was in the car, also in his 20s, is receiving medical treatment to back injuries.

It is understood, the first person at the scene of the crash pulled the man, who was in a relationship with Chloe Hipson, out of the car.

He lifted the man from the back seat of the car and placed him on the ground, and was going back to rescue the rest when the car exploded.

One member of the emergency services told the Irish Sun: ‘He was an angel who saved this young man. Sadly he did not have time to rescue the rest of them.

‘The survivor is seriously injured and has a back injury which thankfully is not life-threatening.’

It is understood Chloe and Alan had only recently returned from a holiday in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

Sinn Fein councillor Michael Gallagher, said Chloe and Alan were a couple.

He told Morning Ireland: ‘It does add to the tragedy and Chloe was also well known of the community.’

Speaking to BBC’s Radio Ulster, principal Padraig McGovern said Chloe was ‘looking forward to the weekend’ before tragedy struck.

Principal McGovern said: ‘I was speaking with Chloe on Friday. She was full of fun and she was full of achievement and success and looking forward to the weekend. Within 24 hours that changed, changed drastically.’

‘She loved to help her students, loved to go the extra mile, was very good at her subject, and was also the sort of girl that was involved in everything. Anything that we were looking at to develop, she was there and willing to take part. To think we’re going into school today and she won’t be there is an incredible shock.’

Chloe’s brother Stephen wrote on Facebook: ‘Never in a million years did I ever think I’d have to share something like this. Life is cruel.

‘You were one in a million and had your whole life infront of you, myself dad, mam aaron and nicola couldn’t have asked for a better sister. No words can describe how devastated we are right now.

‘We hope you and Alan got the best beds in heaven, until we meet again my little angel, look after us.’

They were heading to meet other friends in Dundalk when their VW Golf crashed into a Toyota Land Cruiser just after 9pm in the village of Gibstown.

The people in the Toyota, a man and a woman, are also in hospital for treatment.

Supt Charlie Armstrong said, near the scene: ‘I want to express my condolences and sympathies and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Siochana to the families of the five young adults who lost their lives yesterday evening in this road traffic collision.

‘I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Siochana and the other emergency services who attended the scene last night.

‘The scene was very difficult, in adverse weather conditions, and the professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown to the five deceased was exemplary.

‘This tragedy, with the loss of five young adults, will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and in Scotland.

Supt Liam Geraghty pointed out how they were speaking on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

He said: ‘The events that occurred here last night again are a very, very clear reminder for us of how things can change dramatically on our roads in a split second, and the tragedy that that brings to families, to communities and to loved ones.

‘As we stand here today, 157 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year in 2025. That is a slight increase, unfortunately, in the number who lost their lives on roads in 2024.’

The scene on the L3168 will remain closed today as gardai carry out technical and forensic examinations.

Gardai are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

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