Gardaí are appealing for the driver who left the scene of a crash that left two people seriously injured to come forward.

The crash occurred on the L7797 near Moat, Ballinakill, Co Laois at approximately 10.30pm on Friday (July 31).

Two people in the first car, a male driver in his 80s and a female passenger in her 70s, were rushed to Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore for treatment of serious injuries.

The driver of the second car left the scene, and Gardaí are looking to identify them.

The road is currently closed pending an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, and local diversions are in place.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

Anyone travelling in the vicinity of the L7797, Moat, Ballinakill between 10pm and 11pm on Friday and who may have camera footage — including dash-cam — are asked to make their footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information on the crash are asked to contact Abbeyleix Garda station on 057 873 0580, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.