THREE people have died in two road crashes in as many days on the A5 in Co Tyrone.
A pedestrian, 69-year-old Sean Reid, was knocked down yesterday morning along the Great Northern Road section in Omagh.
And a married couple aged in their seventies died the day before in a two-vehicle crash on the Doogary Road on the other side of the town.
The couple, believed to be tourists visiting from England, died at the scene after their gold Volvo car was involved in a collision with a red Scania articulated lorry.
The lorry driver was not injured in the crash, which was reported to police at about 2.55pm on Monday.
The road tragedies come after a mother-of-three from nearby Greencastle died in a crash on her way home from the GAA All-Ireland final.
Joanne Tracey died early on Monday after the car she was driving was involved in a collision with another vehicle on the M1 outside Drogheda, Co Louth.
The 36-year-old was believed to have been returning home from Dublin after supporting Tyrone's unsuccessful bid on Sunday to win the men's senior football final at Croke Park.
Police and gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the crashes to come forward.
The Great Northern Road was closed in both directions following yesterday's one-vehicle crash, which happened close to the Gortrush Industrial Estate.
Two ambulance crews and the Air Ambulance were called to the scene after receiving a call before 11.20am.
"No-one was transported to hospital from the scene," an ambulance service spokesman said.
Police said one person was assisting them with their enquiries.
Omagh councillor Sorcha McAnespy described the road tragedies as "devastating" for the community and expressed her sympathies with the families of those who died.
"Three people have lost their lives, and of course after what happened to the girl Joanne Tracey in Greencastle, people just can't believe it – they're in absolute shock," she said.
Two ambulance crews and a rapid response paramedic were sent to the crash on Doogary Road after the alarm was raised shortly before 2.45pm on Monday.
The road remained closed in both directions between Seskinore Road and Camowen Road for a period yesterday but was later reopened.
Ms McAnespy urged motorists to be patient with delays caused by road closures and show understanding towards emergency services.
"Just be mindful of the hard job that the emergency services have to deal with," she added.
Sinn Féin councillor Marty McColgan also expressed his sympathies, and called for a dual carriageway to be built to help prevent future accidents.
"The road needs to be upgraded as quickly as possible. There have been a number of accidents in recent years and now, after this tragic accident, is the time for work to be completed," he said.
Meanwhile, a 15-year-old girl remained critically ill in hospital yesterday after being struck by a car while walking on Belfast Road in Antrim, along with a five-year-old boy who was also injured.
The teenage girl was struck by a red Suzuki Swift at about 5.30pm on Monday.
The boy, who was also hit, sustained fractures to his collar bone, ankle and foot and remained in hospital.
UUP councillor Jim Montgomery said it has "stunned the community".
Police urged any witnesses to contact them.
