Northern Ireland

Vigil held for Co Down teenager Nathan Ritchie who died on Belfast's Westlink

Flowers left at the Westlink in Belfast in memory of teenager Nathan Ritchie. Picture by Alan Lewis, Photopress
Flowers left at the Westlink in Belfast in memory of teenager Nathan Ritchie. Picture by Alan Lewis, Photopress

A VIGIL in memory of a teenager who died on Belfast's Westlink has been held.

Dozens of people attended the candle-light vigil on High Street on Tuesday evening to pay tribute to 19-year-old Nathan Ritchie from Bangor, Co Down.

The teenager, a former pupil at Bangor Academy, died on the Westlink near Divis Street Bridge on Thursday night.

It is understood Nathan, who has been described as "vulnerable", had sought help from homeless services several times before his death.

The Westlink was closed to traffic in both directions on Thursday evening for a number of hours following the incident and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

PSNI Inspector McCullough has urged anyone who was in the area on Thursday night between 9.45pm and 10pm and witnessed anything to contact police on the non-emergency number 101.