THE Fire and Rescue Service has said it is cooperating fully with police following the death of a Co Down motorist four days after a collision involving his BMW and a fire engine.
Gary Bennett (59) died in hospital on Wednesday from injuries suffered in the crash at around 7pm on Saturday on Bangor's Springhill Road.
The fire appliance was responding to an emergency call in the Crawfordsburn area at the time.
Mr Bennett was a managing partner of Bennett Robertson Design, an award-winning consultancy which works alongside architects and developers, with a focus on sustainability.
The firm has been involved with projects including the Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre and the new Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs headquarters in Ballykelly.
Earlier this year Mr Bennett was involved with the installation of The Great Light attraction in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. The 130-year-old giant light once shone in lighthouses on Tory Island off Co Donegal and Mew Island at the mouth of Belfast Lough.
Chief Fire Officer Michael Graham offered "sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies" to Mr Bennett's family, adding: "The PSNI are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and we are co-operating fully with that investigation."
He added: "Our thoughts are also with the crew of Bangor Station who were on the fire appliance. We understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for them and as an organisation we continue to provide welfare support to those firefighters and others who were involved in the operational response to the road traffic collision."
Ulster Unionist councillor Mark Brooks said: "This has been a terrible blow for the friends and family of Gary Bennett, and a tragedy for Bangor as a whole. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time."
A PSNI spokesman urged witnesses to the crash or motorists with dashcam footage to contact them.
