Trim man's death to be recalled in Virgin Media series tonight

The story of Trim native James Gibbons, who died in a collision in 2008, is to be told in 'Crash Scene Investigates' on Virgin Media tonight.

The four-part, real-life series, ‘Crash Scene Investigates’ continues on Virgin Media One tonight at 9pm.

This series tells the real-life stories of Irish crashes, how they happened and the long term impact they caused on the victims themselves as well as the families.

Contributions from bereaved families, first-responders, Gardaí and forensic investigators bring the story of the crash to life and dramatisation of the events around the crash show how everyday life can be upturned in a moment.

In episode two, Patricia Gibbons recalls how her husband was killed on his way to work. She was twelve weeks pregnant at the time, expecting their second child. James Gibbons was working on a building site when the truck he was driving was hit by another. The other vehicle was deemed to be unroadworthy.

Twenty-eight-year-old James - Jimmy - lost his life in a three lorry pile-up on the N62 main Roscrea to Templemore Road at Ashmere around 8am on 17th January 2008.

Patricia was expecting the couple's second child. Jimmy was working for agricultural contractor and haulage company Liam Healion and Sons, working on a sub-contract for Ascon, at the time of the accident.

A second lorry collided with the lorry he was driving, and then with a third lorry travelling in the same direction. Weather conditions at the time were poor, with heavy rain and wet roads.

James, who survived a life-threatening car accident nine years previous, that left him on life support for over six months, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the two other truck drivers involved in the accident were taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Nenagh with non life-threatening injuries.

Jimmy had moved to Offaly from his native Meath six years ago, after meeting Patricia when she was on a work placement on a Trim farm, and had bought a house in Rahan. The couple had a six-year-old son, Conor.

They were married eight months ago prior to his death, in Rahan, and Jimmy was due to turn 29 on 20th June that year.

His father-in-law, Michael Connolly, told the Offaly Independnet that Jimmy was laid-back, and made friends easily on moving to Offaly, originally through Mr Connolly and Patricia's involvement in ploughing and Macra circles and later working with Liam, Jonathon and Nigel Healion.

A testament to this was the guard of honour of 80 people, made up of lorry drivers and construction workers, at Jimmy's funeral. His coffin was draped with four jerseys - Boardsmill of Trim, Meath, Shamrocks and Offaly.

These major collisions happen in the blink of an eye and result in life changing circumstances. Could they be prevented or is it simply wrong place, wrong time? Crash Scene Investigates looks at the detail behind the headlines.

‘Crash Scene Investigates’ tonight at 9pm on Virgin Media One and Virgin Media Player.