Man dies in back of taxi

Simon Wylie was on his way home from a night out in Portadown with friends when he passed away in the back of a taxi. It is understood the 37-year-old was in the car with a friend and fell asleep but failed to wake up when they arrived back in Banbridge.

Mr Wylie’s funeral will take place this Thursday December 22 at 1pm in Holy Trinity Church, with burial afterwards in the New Cemetry. Reverend Mark Greenstreet, of Seapatrick Parish, who will officiate at the funeral service on Thursday, said it is an utter tragedy for Mr Wylie’s family.

“It is so sad for this type of thing to happen at any time of year, but in the week before Christmas it is all the more tragic,” he said. “And for Mr Wylie’s friend and the taxi driver, the shock must have been awful. It is a particularly sad situation. We can only offer our thoughts and prayers to the family at this stage.”

NB Mr Wylie’s funeral had been set to take place from Bell’s Funeral Home but will now be held in Holy Trinity Church at 1pm this Thursday December 22.