Northern Ireland

Deaths of two people in Co Antrim road crash tragedy a 'devastating blow to the local community'

Police said the crash involved a car and a construction vehicle
Police said the crash involved a car and a construction vehicle Police said the crash involved a car and a construction vehicle

THE deaths of two people in a road crash tragedy in Co Antrim has dealt a "devastating blow to the local community".

A man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s died following the two-vehicle crash near Ballymoney yesterday.

The names of the deceased have not been released, but their deaths have been described as a "devastating loss of life".

Police said the crash, which happened on the Benvardin Road shortly after 4pm, involved a car and a construction vehicle.

The driver and rear passenger in the car died, while two other people in the vehicle were treated in hospital.

DUP assembly member Mervyn Storey said the community would "rally around the families".

"This will also be a devastating blow to the local community who would ordinarily want to pay their respects and rally around the families involved.

"However, I have no doubt, even in these most trying of days as we face a pandemic, they will uphold the families in their thoughts and prayers."

Independent MLA Claire Sugden said: "This is a devastating loss of life..To have loved ones taken so suddenly leaves not just profound grief, but devastating shock as well."

Sinn Féin councillor Oliver McMullan said: "I offer my prayers and sympathies to the family at this sad time.

"This will be a big shock to the local community, which is close-knit, but people will come together to help at this time."

Police have appealed for anyone with dashcam footage of the crash to contact them.