An 18-year-old man was airlifted to hospital after his scrambler bike collided with a car at the gates of a cemetery ahead of a funeral cortege arriving for a burial.
An air ambulance was dispatched to the scene at Monks Hill Cemetery in Newry after a 999 call was received around 11.30am. The air ambulance landed in the cemetery grounds.
The injured man, airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, was among those mourning the passing of Newry man Paddy McGlennon, who died suddenly last Sunday.
Friends decided to honour the memory of Mr McGlennon, a long time motoring enthusiast, with displays in various vehicles on the way to the cemetery.
Police said officers attended a report of a two vehicle road traffic collision on Monks Hill Road.
“Shortly after 11:35am, it was reported that a scrambler and a silver BMW car were involved in the collision,” said a police spokesperson.
“An 18 year old man, who was believed to have been riding the scrambler, was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.”
The scrambler and car collided at the gates of the cemetery, according to eyewitnesses.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 11:30am “following reports of an RTC in the Monks Hill Road area, Newry”.
“NIAS dispatched one emergency ambulance to the scene and tasked the Charity Air Ambulance with HEMS on board,” a spokesperson said.
“Following assessment and initial treatment at scene, one patient has been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast by Air Ambulance.”
The Funeral Mass for Mr McGlennon, a father-of-three, was held at Newry Cathedral on Thursday morning. Large numbers of people then made their way to the cemetery some distance outside the city centre.
His death notice said he died suddenly on September 14 and was a devoted father, adoring son, treasured brother and a loving partner.
