A FATAL crash that claimed the life of a well-known young Co Antrim man has "torn at the hearts" of a rural community, a councillor said last night.
Sean McAlonan, who is was in his early twenties, was killed following the accident on the Glenshesk road in Ballycastle yesterday morning.
It is understood he was a passenger in a white Citroen Berlingo van which crashed some time before 6am.
Two other men were in the van and required hospital treatment but their injuries are not life threatening. No other vehicles were involved in the accident, which was reported to police at 6.05am.
Sinn Féin councillor Cara McShane said news of the tragedy has caused "absolute devastation" in the town.
The McAlonan family own a number of businesses in Ballycastle including an oil supply firm and transport company.
"The family are so well known and respected and Sean was a lovely, young fellow. This has rippled through the community and tore at people's hearts," councillor McShane said.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family. This isn't the first accident in this area and every few months we seem to be waking up to the news of another tragedy involving the deaths of young men in car crashes."
There was a suggestion yesterday that the van may have been taken without the owner's permission, but police declined to comment on the matter.
The PSNI did however issue an appeal for witnesses who may have seen the van prior to the accident.
"I want to appeal to anyone who was on the Glenshesk Road around 6am (yesterday) morning and witnessed the collision, or anyone who may have captured dash cam footage to contact us. I would also appeal to anyone who believes they saw this vehicle prior to the collision to get in touch," PSNI Inspector Bradley said.
The Ambulance Service sent two A&E crews to the accident.
Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, two men were taken by ambulance to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.
A spokeswoman for the Northern Trust said both men were in a stable condition.
The Glenshesk Road remained closed for several hours yesterday.
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