A CO Antrim village has been left "deep in shock and sadness" after two people, believed to work for the same company, died at the scene of a road crash on Friday.
A 58-year-old woman, named locally as Primrose Campbell, was killed following a two-vehicle collision on the Townhill Road, between Portglenone and Rasharkin, at around 6.30am.
A man who rushed to her aid, named as Conor McKeown, is also understood to have suffered a heart attack as he attempted to assist Ms Campbell.
Mr McKeown, a father-of-three who was in his mid-forties, ran McKeown Fine Foods on the Townhill Road along with his brother.
It is believed that Ms Campbell was travelling to work at the company when the accident happened.
Mr McKeown was well known in Rasharkin, while Ms Campbell, originally from the village, is understood to have been living in Ballymoney in recent years.
A 21-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving was released on bail pending further enquiries on Friday night.
Superintendent Ryan Henderson said: "A man arrived in the Townhill Road area immediately after the collision and was taken ill. He was treated by paramedics at the scene but sadly died this morning in hospital.
"The man is not a relative of the deceased woman but they were known to one another."
Sinn Féin North Antrim MLA Daithí McKay said: "The deaths have caused a deep sense of shock and sadness in the local area. These road deaths are all the more tragic coming so close to Christmas.
"It speaks volumes of Conor that he was going out to help those involved in this accident."
Mr McKay added: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of both of those who died at this very difficult and sad time."
The SDLP's Connor Duncan said: "Rasharkin is in mourning following the tragic death of two local people after an accident today. The sense of sadness is palpable across the area.
"These two people were well known throughout Rasharkin. It will take some time for us all to adjust to the loss of friends and neighbours."
He added: "This is a particularly dangerous stretch of road and in the time ahead I’ll be working with Transport NI to see what we can do to make the area safer for local people. It’s important that we prevent a repeat of this tragedy in the future."
Anyone with information about the collision was asked to contact police on 101.
