Police Ombudsman probe claim lives put at risk at Twelfth parade in Moneymore

Local man Aaron McClenaghan, who was watching the parade along with his family, blamed the police for allowing the traffic through the village.

He said he was shocked that vehicles - including heavy lorries - were allowed into Moneymore while the streets were packed with people.

The PSNI said it would be inappropriate for them to make a comment while the matter was under investigation.

Video: Crowds flock to Moneymore for ‘Twelfth’ demonstratonA qualified safety steward, Mr McClenaghan claimed lives were put at risk.

The incident is understood to have happened around 12.30pm as the last band in the outward march was making its way along the Moneyhaw Road to the demonstration field.

“We were close to the corner at the Cookstown end of the village and 40ft lorries and milk tankers were trying to get round,” he claimed.

“At the same time people were sitting at the edge of the road in deck chairs and were forced to get out of the way. Someone could have been killed or seriously injured.”

He said it was unacceptable to expect elderly and disabled people to rush out of the path of lorries and cars.

“The PSNI have a duty of care... they should have come down and warned the public that they were allowing the traffic through,” he said.