‘Unspeakable tragedy’ after four killed in road accident
FOUR young people have died in an ‘unspeakable tragedy’ after the car they were travelling in crashed into a tree and burst into flames.
The single-vehicle collision happened in Armagh at around 2.10am yesterday.
The crash involving a grey Volkswagen Golf occurred on the Ballynahonemore Road.
The driver and three passengers, who have not yet been formally identified, were declared dead at the scene, the PSNI said.
District Commander Superintendent Paul McGrattan said: ‘This is an unspeakable tragedy for the families involved, and for the wider community, who will understandably struggle to comprehend such loss of life.
‘The thoughts of the entire police service are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who have lost their lives.’
The PSNI is urging anyone who may have witnessed the accident or have dashcam footage to contact police.
Mr McGrattan added: ‘A thorough and sensitive investigation is now under way and anyone with information that could assist us is asked to get in touch with the Collision
‘Deeply shocked and saddened’
Investigation Unit.’
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson described it as a ‘devastating incident’. In a post on X/Twitter, he said: ‘Tragic news coming from Armagh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the four deceased in this devastating incident.’
Sinn Féin councillor Sarah Duffy said she wanted to give her condolences to the families and friends of the four people who tragically died.
She said she is ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ to hear four people ‘tragically lost their lives’.
She added: ‘This has left the entire community stunned and heartbroken. We will rally around to support these families in what will be difficult days ahead.
‘I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of all those involved in this tragic accident.’
Ms Duffy said she wanted to commend all of the emergency services who came to the aid of those involved in the crash, for their efforts at the scene.
DUP councillor Gareth Wilson said the deaths of four young people in a road collision was ‘horrendous news’ and said that his ‘thoughts and prayers’ are with the families.
He described the accident as a ‘devastating blow’ to the families of those who lost their lives and that the entire area has been ‘plunged’ into grief.
Mr Wilson said the entire community will support the families to the best of their abilities at such a traumatic time.
DUP MLA William Irwin revealed that the car in which the four were travelling ‘hit a tree and burst into flames’.
Mr Irwin said: ‘Four young people have lost their lives. I have been talking to neighbours that live close by about what happened and everyone is in a total state of shock.’
Meanwhile, the PSNI has confirmed that a man in his 40s died following a road traffic collision on the Forkhill Road, Newry, Co. Down, on Saturday.
Officers received a report of a collision involving a male pedestrian and a Nissan car at around 10.40pm on Saturday night.
The man was taken to hospital following the incident but died from his injuries a short time later.
Inquiries into the collision are ongoing and officers from the Collision Investigation Unit appealed to anyone who was travelling in the area at the time, or anyone who has dashcam footage, to contact them.
TUV chair Keith Ratcliffe said: ‘A sense of profound shock has gripped the entire community of Newry and Armagh in the aftermath of these two crashes which, in the space of a few hours, have ushered five lives out into eternity.
‘I offer the sympathy of my party and myself to the loved ones left behind,’ he said.
‘Regardless of the circumstances, however, these tragic accidents are a sobering reminder of the need for care on our roads,’ he added.