News

Police appeal for witnesses to Glenshane road tragedy

Loreto Douglas from the Derry area died in a road crash on the Glenshane Road outside Dungiven
Loreto Douglas from the Derry area died in a road crash on the Glenshane Road outside Dungiven Loreto Douglas from the Derry area died in a road crash on the Glenshane Road outside Dungiven

POLICE investigating a fatal road crash which claimed the life of a former nun from Derry have re-issued an appeal for witnesses.

Loreto Douglas (64) died from injuries suffered in the collision on the Glenshane Pass outside Dungiven on November 23.

She had been travelling to a funeral in Newtownards, Co Down when she was injured in a three-vehicle collision.

Ms Douglas was the driver of a Volkswagen car that was involved in a collision with a Ford Transit van and a Citroen Dispatch van at around 9.15am, close to the Ponderosa.

She was airlifted to hospital in Belfast by PSNI Air Support Unit but died from her injuries.

Three men and a woman were also taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.

A former member of the Sisters of Mercy Order in Derry, Ms Douglas lived in the Culmore area and was a founding member of family support charity Lifestart Foundation, where she had worked since 1986.

She was described as "the kindest of people" following her tragic death.

PSNI Inspector Ian Armour has appealed for anyone who was travelling on the Glenshane Road on November 23 and who witnessed the collision, any vehicles stopped on the road, or any pedestrians prior to the collision to contact police.

Information can be passed to officers in Limavady, or the Collision Investigation Unit, using the 101 phone number.