Tragic dad run over and killed in horrendous 'prank gone wrong' after party

A father-of-two was tragically killed by a man known to him after a prank when horrifically wrong, police believe.

Alan Callaghan, 46 - who was originally from Mayo, Ireland had been living in San Francisco with his wife Sharon and their two sons - had back in Ireland from the US A for a holiday with his family, reports the Irish Mirror.

He died after he was struck by a vehicle - in what Irish police are now treating this as a freak accident on Achill Island, Co Mayo, on Monday.

Sources have confirmed that the police suspect that Alan was struck by the vehicle after he either deliberately lay down on the road as a prank or suddenly came out in front of the car.

Alan - pictured with wife Sharon - was on holiday in Ireland with his family (Irish Mirror)

It is also understood that police are said to be satisfied with the innocence of the driver - who is known to Alan, but did not seem him - as he immediately stopped when he realised what had just happened.

Earlier in the night, it is reported that Alan had left a social gathering and went out walking, before the man who was known to him went out to look for him in a car.

Tragically, the well-known father-of-two was struck by the vehicle and suffered catastrophic injuries — resulting in his death.

The shocking collision occurred at about 3.15am, as emergency services were immediately called to rush to the scene.

The tragic accident is believed to have happened in the early hours of Monday morning (Getty Images/Design Pics RF)

The distraught driver, who Irish police believe acted in good faith, and could not prevent the tragedy, has been completely co-operative with officers.

Sources say the police are now treating the fatal collision as a tragic accident.

It is understood that officers have since been informed that Alan was known to play pranks in the past by lying down on a road — and it is now feared that this is what happened.

However, Irish police also believe it is possible that Alan, who was walking in the pitch dark, came out in front of the car and that the driver was unable to see him in time.

A notice on RIP.ie said he “will be dearly missed by his loving wife Sharon and his heartbroken sons Jack and Finn”.

Alan’s private funeral will take place today at Shannon Crematorium.