A young man who was visiting home from Australia was killed in a horrific crash with a lorry yesterday.

Aaron Duggan (22), from Portlaw, Co Waterford, had come home for a holiday to see his friends and family when tragedy struck.

The young man was due to return to Australia shortly, but he was killed in the smash at around 2.50am yesterday.

Mr Duggan died after his car collided with an articulated lorry -- and went up in flames at Ballyshunnock in Kilmacthomas -- a short distance from his home. There was nobody else inside the car when the accident happened.

The driver of the lorry was rushed to Waterford Regional Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Waterford County Mayor Liam Brazil said the community was saddened by the death of the young man.

"He was only home for Christmas and was due to go back to Australia next week," he said.

Officers are appealing to anyone who travelled along the route around the time of the crash to contact Tramore garda station on 051 391620.