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Pensioner in collision after driving wrong way on M1

The M1 near Moira. Picture by Albert Bridge/CC Geograph
The M1 near Moira. Picture by Albert Bridge/CC Geograph The M1 near Moira. Picture by Albert Bridge/CC Geograph

AN 84-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after colliding with a police car while travelling the wrong way on the M1.

Police were alerted by other drivers who saw the pensioner's Volkswagen Polo driving in the wrong direction shortly before 5am on Monday.

The man's car collided with a stationary police vehicle between the Lurgan and Moira junctions.

A policeman was also injured in the collision and both were taken to hospital.

The Police Ombudsman has been informed.

Details were released by police yesterday because they wanted to thank members of the public who called to alert them.

"We'd like to say thank you to all those motorists who contacted us to make us aware of the car," Inspector Andrew Wilson said.

"We would also like to trace the movements of the car prior to its arrival on the M1.

"If you noticed a blue Volkswagen Polo car on the roads around Armagh, Dungannon or Craigavon during the early hours please contact us on 101, quoting ref 119 210915."