Northern Ireland

Tributes to father-of-three Peter Smyth killed in Coleraine road crash

The scene of the crash in which father-of-three Peter Smyth was killed. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin<br />&nbsp;
The scene of the crash in which father-of-three Peter Smyth was killed. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
 
The scene of the crash in which father-of-three Peter Smyth was killed. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
 

THE man who died in a two-vehicle crash in Co Derry has been named locally as father-of-three Peter Smyth.

Mr Smyth, who was in his late 40s died after the transit van he was driving was in collision with a lorry shortly before 1.25pm on Wednesday at Drumcroon Road outside Coleraine.

A member of a well-known Garvagh family, he worked in the family business, Smyth Steele.

Emergency services including the air ambulance attended the scene, but Mr Smyth died a short time later.

The driver of the lorry, belonging to a Dublin-based freight firm, was not seriously injured.

SDLP councillor Stephanie Quigley said the accident was "devastating news for the whole community".

"I was talking to Peter a few weeks ago on Castlerock beach when he was out walking with his son. He was a really lovely, genuine man. My thoughts and prayers are with his parents James and Eithne, his wife Caroline and and all the family.

"It is just heartbreaking for children to lose their daddy at such a young age."

It his understood Mr Smyth's oldest child is just 13.

Deputy mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Trevor Clarke, said Mr Smyth extended his "deepest sympathy to the family in these very tragic circumstances".

The Bann Wheelers cycling club, of which Mr Smyth was a long-standing member, described him on Facebook as a "true gentleman", "a lovely bloke" and "the most genuinely friendly and helpful guy you could meet".

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash, or with dashcam footage of it, to contact officers in Coleraine on 101.