Tributes pour in for Kilrea rally driver Ryan Bradley

Ryan Bradley died after the car he was in crashed into a wall and ended up in Lough Island Reavy reservoir near Castlewellan.

Mr Bradley was in his 20s and was a member of Magherafelt and District Motor Club.

A memorial Facebook page set up after the tragedy has already been liked by over 4,500 people, with hundreds of tributes left on the page.

You can visit the Facebook page RIP Ryan Bradley here.

Chairman of the club James McKeefry said they were devastated.

“I was competing with another crew at the event when I received the word,” he told the BBC.

“We went immediately out to be with Ryan’s friends and family. It is devastating for anybody that knew Ryan and anyone from a rallying background.

“It is just devastatingly sad and we will try and help everyone through it.”

SDLP MLA John Dallat said: “It is difficult to describe the sense of shock that has gripped this community as word spread that Ryan Bradley had lost his life in a tragic rally accident.

“Ryan was much-loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. To his parents, his brother and sisters and the wider family circle all we can do is extend our sympathy, support them in their hour of need and pray that in these difficult times they will find the strength to cope with their grief.”

Mr Dallat added: “Ryan’s interest in rallying was entirely professional, always focused on safety and this tragedy can only be described as very unfortunate and difficult to understand.

“Ryan was the third generation of the well-known road construction company Patrick Bradley Limited of Kilrea.”