Northern Ireland

Man (21) killed in Co Armagh workplace accident to be laid to rest

Matthew Biggerstaff (21) was killed in a workplace accident at the Taranto construction factory in Tandragee on Tuesday
Matthew Biggerstaff (21) was killed in a workplace accident at the Taranto construction factory in Tandragee on Tuesday Matthew Biggerstaff (21) was killed in a workplace accident at the Taranto construction factory in Tandragee on Tuesday

A 21-year-old man who was killed in a workplace accident in Co Armagh will be laid to rest today.

Matthew Biggerstaff died on Tuesday afternoon following an incident at the Taranto construction factory on the Old Scarva Road in Tandragee.

Mr Biggserstaff, who was from the town, was a former pupil at Tandragee Junior High and then Craigavon Senior High.

In a statement, his family said he had "the ability to light up a room with his bubbly personality and his smile”.

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the circumstances.

A funeral service will take place today at Ballymore Parish Church.

A private burial will take place afterwards in the adjoining churchyard.

Among those who paid tribute to Mr Biggerstaff was Ulster Rally.

Posting on Facebook, it said: "Everyone at the Ulster Rally and Northern Ireland Motorclub was incredibly saddened to hear of the tragic death of Matthew Biggerstaff earlier this week.

"Matthew's father Paul was the secretary of the motor club for many years and a long-standing contributor to the Ulster Rally.

"Our thoughts are with Paul and all of Matthew’s family at this very difficult time."

Meanwhile, a father-of-one who died in a workplace accident in Co Tyrone was last night described as someone who was "impossible to forget or replace".

Allister Kelly (35) from Cabragh, died on Thursday morning following an incident at Linden Foods at the Granville Industrial Estate on the Eskragh Road outside Dungannon.

Emergency services were called to the site at around 9am.

A former pupil of Drumglass High School in Dungannon, Mr Kelly, who was married with a young son, is understood to have been a maintenance technician at the Linden Foods site and it is believed the accident involved machinery.

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.

Posting on Facebook, Castlecaufield Football Club described Mr Kelly as a "great guy, team mate and club enthusiast, impossible to forget or replace".

"Words cannot express our grief at loosing such a man."

Castlecaulfield District LOL No 4 also paid tribute on Facebook to Mr Kelly, who was the deputy master of Aughintober LOL 38.

"Ali was a much loved member of the Orange Order and always was on hand to help out with various events."

Pomeroy True Blues Flute Band Page described Mr Kelly as a "genuinely, honest and friendly young man" who was "always very welcoming and an inspirational young leader within the community".