Calls for action after two injured in crash

Calls have been made for more to be done to fix a bad bend near Gilford, after two men were injured in a fireball crash.
Scene of the crash on the Banbridge Road, Tullylish this morningScene of the crash on the Banbridge Road, Tullylish this morning
Scene of the crash on the Banbridge Road, Tullylish this morning

Upper Bann MLA Jo-Anne Dobson said the stretch of the Banbridge Road, Tullylish was a dangerous corner and said she had been in touch with Transport NI about the bend.

Last week two men were taken to hospital following the early morning crash.

It’s understood the men were out of their vehicles by the time the rescue services arrived at the scene last Thursday. One car was on fire.

Ulster Unionist MLA Mrs Dobson said: “This stretch of the Banbridge Road is well known to local people and I have been in contact with Transport NI following this latest accident to request that it be reassessed.”

Mrs Dobson has contacted Roads Service a number of times in recent years and months asking that this ‘dangerous’ corner is given greater attention. “Following previous lobbying I was pleased upgrades were approved and installed, including new signage and vehicle restraints. However, it remains clear more needs to be done.”

She vowed to work with residents on the matter and praised the fast response of the Fire Service and Ambulance Service.

A NI Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said they had received a call at 6:53am. “Two fire appliances from Banbridge Fire Station and one from Lurgan Fire Station were deployed. Two males were out of their vehicles prior to the arrival of crews and one car that was alight was extinguished. Hydraulic cutting gear was used during the incident to make the vehicle safe. Both men were taken to hospital for treatment by colleagues from NI Ambulance Service.”

A PSNI spokesperson said: “The collision, involving a Renault Megane and Toyota Corolla, occurred around 6.50am. Emergency services attended and two people received treatment for injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.”

Transport NI said it is aware of the collision. “The PSNI are still investigating the full details of this collision and TransportNI will carry out a review of all collision data when investigations are complete to determine if engineering measures could be introduced to improve road safety at this location. Following previous requests from members of the public and elected representatives, TransportNI agreed to provide a range of measures at this location. This work included a bend warning sign and REDUCE SPEED NOW plate on high visibility background, black and white chevron signs and a number of marker posts with work completed in early 2014.”