A 44-year-old who died after his motorcycle collided with a car in Co Antrim was described on Sunday as a “best friend” by his son.
Benny McIlhatton, a father-of-two from Loughgiel, died following the collision on the Magheramore Road outside the north coast town on Saturday.
In a social media post, his son Caolan said he was “lost for words, heartbroken doesn’t describe the pain”.
“My daddy my best friend, the man me and Brandon looked up to. I love you more than you’ll ever know daddy watch over us and until we meet again fly high mate.” Mr McIlhatton celebrated his birthday last week.
Glens Councillor Maighréad Watson said said it was “incredibly sad to learn of the untimely death of Benny Mc Ilhatton”.
“My heartfelt condolences to Shauna, his sons, the McIlhatton and Mc Carry families and the Loughgiel community,” the councillor said.
The PSNI said the accident happened at approximately 5.30pm. Mr McIlhatton’s blue Suzuki motorcycle collided with a silver Volkswagen Jetta.
Two other people were treated for injuries in hospital.
“Officers along with other emergency services attended but very sadly Mr McIlhatton, who was travelling on the motorcycle, died at the scene,” said Inspector Cherith Adair, of Collision Investigation Unit.
“Two other people were taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.
“The Magheramore Road, which was closed for a number of hours, has now reopened to traffic.”
An investigation is ongoing and police appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who have any footage to come forward.
The accident follows the death of a woman in her 70s following a two-car collision in Derry on Thursday afternoon.
The woman was a passenger in one of the vehicles that collided on the Limavady Road shortly after 4pm. The drivers, both males in their 70s, were treated for injuries.
