Teenagers killed in single car collision

Two teenage boys - both aged 17-years - have been killed after a one-vehicle collision on the Cladymilltown Road, between Markethill and Newtownhamilton in Co Armagh.
Officers at the scene of a fatal one-vehicle  crash which killed two teenage students on the Cladymilltown Road between Markethill and Newtownhamilton in County ArmaghOfficers at the scene of a fatal one-vehicle  crash which killed two teenage students on the Cladymilltown Road between Markethill and Newtownhamilton in County Armagh
Officers at the scene of a fatal one-vehicle crash which killed two teenage students on the Cladymilltown Road between Markethill and Newtownhamilton in County Armagh

DUP MLA William Irwin, who spoke to the News Letter from the scene, said two young men were killed in the accident.

He said he was told the young men had been making their way to ‘a technical college’.

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“This is such a tragedy with the lives of two young local lads lost in an instant, it really is such a horrific loss for the families of both young men,” he said.

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He added: “Having lost a child of my own in a swimming accident some years back, I know just how painful and totally devastating this will be for the families involved and words really cannot describe the anguish this awful ordeal brings.”

Around 1pm a PSNI spokesman said the teenagers killed were the driver and front seat passenger in a Vauxhall Astra car that left the Cladymilltown Road around 8.30am.

It is understood their vehicle had hit a tree.

Inspector Lynsey Barr has appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision or who noticed the Vauxhall Astra being driven on the Cladymilltown Road this morning to contact police on 101.

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The road remains closed while PSNI Collision Investigation Unit examines the scene of the collision.

Ulster Unionists Danny Kennedy MLA, Councillor Jim Speers and Councillor Gordon Kennedy have offered their condolences to the families of the two teenagers killed this morning.

Mr Kennedy said: “This is a terrible tragedy and I offer my sincere sympathy to the families and friends of those involved. I have no doubt that the local community will support the families in every way, and they will be in the thoughts and prayers of everyone at this sad and very difficult time.”

Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan said the community had been left stunned.

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“First of all my thoughts and sympathies are with the families of the two young men who tragically lost their lives this morning,” he said.

“The local community is in shock that another two young men have died in a road traffic accident adding to the recent deaths on our roads.

“I hope the young man who was injured makes a full and speedy recovery from his injuries.”

SDLP councillor Sharon Haughey-Grimley also expressed her condolences and said it was not the first time that stretch of road had claimed lives, describing it as “extremely dangerous”.

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“Driving conditions this morning were also undoubtedly affected by the bad weather,” she added.

A spokesman from the Northern Ireland Ambulance service said they received a call around 8.30am.

He said there were three individuals in the car and one was taken to hospital.

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