A man and a woman have died in a three-vehicle road collision in Co Antrim.
Police said the victims were a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s. They have been named locally as Sammy Stewart and Leah Skillen, both from Belfast.
Another man remains in hospital following the crash, which happened in the Ballyhill Road area of Crumlin on Thursday night.
Friends of Mr Stewart have described him as “one of a kind”.
Writing on social media, one pal said: “Going to miss you big man you were one of the best big gentleman.
“Can’t believe this mate, we always had a laugh.”
Another friend said Mr Stewart was a “gentle giant”, while another added that he was “always smiling”.
A PSNI spokeswoman said: “Officers, along with other emergency services colleagues, responded to a report of a collision involving a grey Audi A6, a black Citroen Volcane and a silver Volkswagen Golf in the Ballyhill Road area shortly after 10.10pm.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Collision Investigation Unit can confirm that, sadly, two people died in a collision in Crumlin last night, Thursday, 29th February. More information here: https://t.co/OUGy78KqHm pic.twitter.com/giS3Clsh0w
— NI Road Policing and Safety (@NIRoadPolicing) March 1, 2024
“The driver of the Audi A6, a man aged in his 30s, and the passenger of the Volkswagen Golf, a woman aged in her 20s, were sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“A second man remains in hospital for treatment at this time.
“The road was closed for some time overnight, but has since reopened.”
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it sent six emergency crews, a doctor and the hazardous area response team to the scene of the crash.
DUP MLA Trevor Clarke said it was “heartbreaking news”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those who sadly lost their lives,” he wrote on social media.
Police have appealed for anyone with information, or video footage, to contact them.
