Northern Ireland

'Miracle' no-one killed in Crossgar crash which left trail of destruction

Parked cars were damaged PICTURE: Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker
Parked cars were damaged PICTURE: Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker Parked cars were damaged PICTURE: Conor Kinahan/Pacemaker

IT is a "miracle" that no-one was killed after a car crashed at high speed in a Co Down village yesterday.

The Volkswagen Golf struck several parked vehicles in Downpatrick Street in Crossgar leaving a trail of destruction.

Several vehicles and a pub were damaged, while a bus shelter was also destroyed when the car travelling at high speed crashed at 4.45am.

An old water pump that had been in Crossgar for around 100 years was also damaged.

Police said two men were taken to hospital following the crash.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: "It was reported shortly after 4.45am that a car had collided with a number of parked vehicles on Downpatrick Street.

"As a result of this, two men have been taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries.

"Anyone who was in the area at the time and has any information or dashcam footage should contact police on 101."

Police had last night had not commented on reports that the car may have been stolen.

The road, which is the main route between Belfast and Downpatrick, remained closed for several hours after the collision.

Sinn Féin councillor Cathy Mason said the community was "shocked" following the crash.

"The local community have been left shocked by what happened. It's a miracle that neither the occupants of the vehicle, nor local residents were killed following in this reckless incident.

"There is absolutely no place for this type of behaviour in our society; and those responsible must now face the full rigour of the law."

SDLP councillor Terry Andrews said "thankfully there were no fatalities".

"There's a significant bit of damage, parked cars, a bus shelter and a historic water pump that has been there for about 100 years, it looks like it has gone," he said.

"While cars and buildings can be replace, lives cannot.

"If this had happened during the day time it could have been very different, but thankfully there were no fatalities."