Man killed in Cookstown road crash

A man has died following a collision in Cookstown, County Tyrone.

Police said the incident occurred on the Drum Road area of the town on Friday.

The victim was 20-year-old Pádraig McDonald from the Loughmacrory area.

A boy aged in his late teens also sustained life-changing injuries, while a second boy in his late teens suffered serious facial injuries.

Chief Inspector Simpson of the Police Service’s Collision Investigation Unit said: “Shortly before 12.40am, we received a report of a two vehicle collision on the Drum Road between a silver Volkswagen Golf and a black Volkswagen Golf.

“A few minutes later, a black Vauxhall Corsa also collided with one of the vehicles involved in the first collision.

“The five occupants of the silver Golf reported injuries at the scene. Sadly, one man passed away in hospital a short time later. He was Padraig McDonald, aged 20 and from the Loughmacrory area.

“A boy aged in his late teens has sustained life-changing injuries, while a second boy in his late teens suffered serious facial injuries. The injuries to the other two occupants are not thought to be serious at this time.

“The occupants of the black Golf and black Corsa are not believed to have suffered serious injury.”

The road remains closed.

Sinn Féin MP for West Tyrone, Órfhlaith Begley, said it was “devastating to learn Pádraig has tragically died”.

“An entire community and parish is heartbroken and in mourning today and I know that we will all do everything that we can to support these families in what will be difficult days to come,” Begley said.

“My immediate thoughts are with the McDonald family as they begin to process this terrible incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are also with those injured, and I hope they make a full recovery.”