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Funeral of Lurgan man John Watts who died after walking into lorry's path on M1

John Watts, who was in his twenties, died on the Belfast-bound carriageway just past the Lurgan junction
John Watts, who was in his twenties, died on the Belfast-bound carriageway just past the Lurgan junction John Watts, who was in his twenties, died on the Belfast-bound carriageway just past the Lurgan junction

THE funeral of a Co Armagh man who died after walking into the path of a lorry on the M1 will take place on Saturday.

John Watts, who was in his twenties, was struck by the vehicle on the Belfast-bound carriageway just past the Lurgan junction at about 4.50pm on Wednesday.

His parents Dolores and Paul Watts and brother David have asked for donations in lieu of flowers to be given to the Pips charity which works for the prevention of suicide and self-harm.

The funeral cortège of the former St Michael’s Grammar School pupil will leave the family home at Kiln Lodge in Lurgan at 8.45am.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 9.30am at St Peter’s Church in the town and burial will be at St Colman’s Cemetery afterwards.

The Ulster University biomedical engineering graduate had worked for almost four years as a clinical conduct technician at the Belfast branch of international research firm Celerion.

Celerion conducts clinical research studies for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, for medicines in research and development.

Mr Watts completed a masters degree at Queen’s University Belfast in molecular biology and biotechnology in 2014.

The driver of the Ballymena-based McBurney Transport Group lorry was said to be left “badly shaken” and is receiving support from a company welfare officer.

Operations director Chris Hutchinson said the driver had more than 40 years’ experience “without incident”.

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly said everyone is thinking of the Watts family.

“All I can say is how sorry I am for the loss this family have suffered and the tragic circumstances and for the lorry driver and the emergency services who had to attend,” she said.

“It is a huge loss from a small family unit and no words could provide enough comfort, except to say they are in our thoughts and prayers.”

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd offered his “deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this young man”.

“My thoughts and prayers, and that of my party, are with the family as they come to terms with their loss. We also extend thoughts and prayers to those involved in and those who witnessed the incident,” he said.

Police have asked witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage to contact them.