A midlands town has been left reeling after the lives of three young people were taken in a horror crash in Spain that has also left a man fighting for his life.

The victims have been named locally as Amy McCullagh, her brother-in-law Mark McCullagh, and his partner Michaela Newcombe.

The tragic incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday morning on the A-7 motorway near Malaga, when the group’s car plunged 100 feet down an embankment into a ravine.

According to Spanish emergency services, the collision took place shortly after 2:30 AM near the Cerrado de Calderon exit.

A spokesman for Andalucia’s regional emergency co-ordination centre said the incident happened after ‘two vehicles collided, and one of them plunged down an embankment near the road while travelling towards Almeria at kilometre 979, at the Cerrado de Calderon turn‑off.

‘Civil Guard officers were mobilised, along with firefighters – who freed those trapped – local police and emergency medical personnel from the Andalusian Health Service.

‘The 061 Emergency Health Centre confirmed the deaths of two women and one man. They treated a 64‑year‑old woman at the scene and transported a 35‑year‑old injured man to Carlos Haya Hospital.’

The injured man, Ian McCullagh (aged in his mid-30s), remains in serious condition.

He is the husband of the late Amy McCullagh and brother to Mark. It is understood that members of the family are flying out to Malaga to be by his side.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is aware of the tragedy and is actively providing consular assistance to the affected families.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, Minister of State Robert Troy, who is from the Westmeath parish where one of the families resides, expressed his deep condolences.

‘I know one of the families quite well. I spoke to them yesterday, and needless to say, they’re absolutely devastated. It’s the worst of phone calls to get,’ Minister Troy said on air.

‘They only went on holidays at the end of last week, and to get this call yesterday evening was heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with that family, indeed all families that are affected.’

Minister Troy added that he has been liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish embassy in Spain to ensure all necessary state supports are available.