TRIBUTES have been paid to two men killed in separate road crashes in Co Derry.
Colin Archibald (19), from Drumsurn, died when his car left the Feeny Road outside Dungiven at around 3.30am yesterday.
The apprentice electrician, who is a cousin of East Derry Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald, was the only occupant of the black Volkswagen Golf and police are appealing for anyone who saw the car travelling on the road to come forward.
A relative, who did not wish to be named, told The Irish News that Colin - a former pupil of St Mary's High School in Limavady - was a popular young man who “lived for his family”.
“He got on well with everybody and never had a bad word to say about anyone.
"As a family we are in complete and utter shock. Colin was a bright and happy person, who loved cars and spending time with his many friends. He will be missed always.”
Sinn Féin councillor Sean McGlinchey said the small village of Drumsurn was “stunned” at the loss of the popular teenager.
“It’s hard to take in that such a promising young life has been lost in these tragic circumstances,” he said.
“The family will struggle with this for years to come, but the community will rally round and support them in any way we can.”
Meanwhile, a 43-year-old father-of-two was killed in a single-vehicle crash on the Ballyrashane Road outside Coleraine.
Karaman Yildirim died some time between 9pm on Friday and 8am on Saturday when the collision was reported.
Police have appealed for anyone who saw his blue Nissan travelling on the road to contact them.
A Turkish national living in Ballymoney, Mr Yildirim was a barber and also owned a kebab takeaway in Coleraine.
In an emotional post on Facebook, his wife Sinead paid tribute to her husband.
She wrote: “As many of you will know, I lost the love of my life today. My husband, my best friend, my absolute everything. We are just absolutely devastated as a family.”
The fatalities bring the number of people killed on the north’s roads so far this year to 13.
East Derry SDLP MLA John Dallat said the figures highlight the need for drivers to focus on road safety.
“My deepest sympathy to both families who have had the experience of learning that a member of their family would not be coming home again alive; gone for ever with no goodbyes and bewilderment that yet another person has joined the awful catalogue of road statistics which continue to cause so much grief to so many people,” he said.
