Northern Ireland

Calls for road safety improvements after American man dies in crash near popular NI tourist site

An American tourist was killed in the crash on Tuesday night. Picture by Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
An American tourist was killed in the crash on Tuesday night. Picture by Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia An American tourist was killed in the crash on Tuesday night. Picture by Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

THERE have been calls for safety improvements to a route close to a popular Co Antrim tourist attraction following the death of an American man in a road crash.

Michael Munro (31) from Orange, Connecticut, suffered fatal injuries in the collision on Gracehill Road in Armoy on Tuesday.

It is believed he was on honeymoon and visiting the Dark Hedges - a tree-lined avenue made famous by its appearance in the Game Of Thrones TV series - with his new wife when the tragedy happened.

Police said a woman in her 30s was also injured in the crash at around 7pm. She remained in hospital yesterday, though her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Political representatives have called for a safety review to be carried out, describing the route as an "accident blackspot".

DUP MLA Mervyn Storey said there had been a "number of serious accidents" in the area in recent months.

"For sometime now I have been raising concerns with Road Service about this junction and also another one on the same road known locally at Walkers Cross," he said.

"The accident I understand was at the junction of the Gracehill Road and the Bregagh Road at the Clintyfinnan Cross Roads.

"This junction is used by tourists visiting the Dark Hedges and would be unfamiliar to visitors. Over the last few months there have been a number of serious accidents at this particular crossing and also at Walkers Cross."

He said he would be requesting a meeting with Department of Infrastructure (DfI) officials and police to "see what can be done to these two particular junctions safer".

"Road Service have already agreed to put in place additional signage, however, in light of this accident that will have to be reviewed," he said.

TUV MLA Jim Allister added: "This section of road has long been identified by residents of the area as an accident hotspot due to the tourist draw of the Dark Hedges, which has brought a significant number of people and vehicles to this rural road.

"To that end I have written to the PSNI and DfI roads to press for action to improve safety, particularly at the junctions."

A spokesman for the Department for Infrastructure last night said: "Every road death is tragic and we would extend our sincere sympathies to the family of the victim.

"The Department can confirm that signage was previously upgraded at this junction in response to concerns raised about road safety, however it would not be appropriate to comment further until the PSNI has completed its investigations into this accident".

Sinn Féin councillor Cara McShane said: "There is a deep sense of shock in the local community at the news of this accident.

"It is particularly sad given this young man had travelled to Ireland from the USA. Foremost in our minds right now is his family and friends and to everyone involved in this terrible tragedy."

Meanwhile, the funeral is due to take place tomorrow of a Co Down man killed in a motorcycle crash.

Martin Harvey (57) from Newtownards was fatally injured in a collision in the Fathom Line area of Newry on Sunday.

A celebration of his life will be held in S. Clarke and Son’s Funeral Home, Newtownards at 1.30pm.