Young dad killed in motorbike collision

Police at the scene on the
Agivey Road between Ballymoney and Kilrea where a young Polish father died on Saturday afternoon. Picture: MATT STEELE/MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA — Police at the scene on the Agivey Road between Ballymoney and Kilrea where a young Polish father died on Saturday afternoon. Picture: MATT STEELE/MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA

Father-of-one Krystian Cadler, who would have turned 21 next month, was killed as travelled back from the North West 200 races on Saturday.

He and his friend - who was seriously injured in the collision - hit a lorry on the Agivey Road in Aghadowey around 5pm. Police said that Mr Cadler was the pillion passenger on the motorcycle.

Family friend Keith Montgomery, a friend of Krystian’s brother Gregor, said: “He died a month before his 21st birthday, his partner Monika had got him a present. It was sitting in the house waiting for him.

Polish national Krystian Cadler lived in Kilrea.

“Any time I met Krystian he was always a very lovely guy to meet. He was a lovely young fella.”

He said Mr Cadler’s family were in shock with some travelling from Poland on Monday before to make arrangements to take Krystian’s body home.

“He was so young, his partner has just turned 20 and they have a young child. It’s so tragic,” said Keith.

Mr Cadler’s family is now appealing for help from the community to help over funeral costs.

“At the present time there’s a funeral director coming from Poland to collect his body and we have organised a funeral director from Kilrea to go to the Royal this morning to bring his body back here,” said Keith.

Mr Cadler’s brother Gregor shared a post on Facebook in tribute to his brother and asking for help to cover the costs of burying the young dad.

SDLP councillor Roisin Loftus said the community was deeply saddened by the tragedy and offered sympathy to the family.

“Coming from Kilrea I know the family who have been left devastated by this tragedy and I would like to offer them my sincerest condolences as they come to terms with their loss. We cannot begin to comprehend how they are feeling at this time.

“This tragic news has touched the entire community and we will assist in any way we can.

“Our thoughts are also with the family of the young man recovering in hospital from this terrible accident. We wish him a full and fast recovery.”

The road was closed for most of Sunday as police worked at the scene.

Inspector Ian Armour has appealed to anyone who was travelling on the Agivey Road on Saturday at approximately 5pm and may have witnessed this incident to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on the non-emergency number 101.