A 75-YEAR-OLD man killed in a Co Derry road crash was a “well known and well-respected” farmer.
James McCollum died at the scene after the Land Rover 4x4 he was driving struck a tree on Curragh Road outside Coleraine, shortly after 3pm on Tuesday.
Mr McCollum, a farmer from Blagh, outside the town, was married with a grown-up family.
UUP councillor William McCandless said the community was in shock at the “tragic accident”.
“He belongs to a well-known, well-respected family in the Blagh area of Coleraine. They’ve been in the farming community for years. The name of the McCollum family is basically a byword for decency in the area. Years ago they employed many people through their business of potato picking,” he said.
“The family have had no time to prepare for it and my heart goes out to them. I’m sure they’re just devastated at the moment.”
DUP councillor Trevor Clarke said: “I can only express my sympathies and condolences to the family.”
Police have urged witnesses to come forward.
