Northern Ireland

Man arrested by police investigating fatal road crash

Gary Armstrong died in the crash in Ballycarry on Thursday
Gary Armstrong died in the crash in Ballycarry on Thursday Gary Armstrong died in the crash in Ballycarry on Thursday

A man was arrested yesterday by police investigating a fatal road crash in Co Antrim.

Motorcyclist Gary Armstrong (25) died following a collision on Main Street in Ballycarry on Thursday evening.

Police had said they believed his bike hit a parked car after an initial collision involving another motorcycle.

A passing patrol came across the scene at around 9.50pm.

Inspector Peter Duncan said it was believed the second rider may also have been injured and left the scene on foot.

An appeal was made for the motorcyclist to contact police.

Detectives last night said they had arrested a 25-year-old man in the Carrickfergus area on suspicion of a number of offences and he was in police custody.

An appeal was made again for anyone who saw two motorcycles being driven in the Ballycarry area on Thursday evening or who witnessed the collision to contact them.

Tributes were paid on social media to Mr Armstrong, who was described as a "true gentleman".

It is understood the 25-year-old was engaged and lived in Belfast.

He was described as a "great guy, always laughing and joking".

Friends and relatives also wrote of their shock at his death with one saying it was "devastating news to take in, Gary was a character in a half, he will be sadly missed by many", while another said he was "one of a kind".

Meanwhile, police yesterday carried out investigations at the scene of a crash in Co Down last weekend following the death in hospital of another motorcyclist.

The rider was injured in the village of Ballymartin at around noon on Sunday after his bike was involved in a collision with a black Ford Focus.

It happened close to the junction with Kilkeel Road and Pat's Road.

The man passed away in hospital on Thursday as a result of his injuries. His name had not been released yesterday.

Police said the driver of the car was helping police with their inquiries and they appealed for witnesses to the crash to contact them.

There have been 24 deaths on Northern Ireland roads so far this year, four of them motorcyclists.