15 injured on County's roads over two days
BY AILEEN MURPHY
Roads in Fermanagh proved especially treacherous over the last few days with one teenager dying and six people taken to hospital following a horrific crash on the main A4 road at Brookeborough on Monday afternoon.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm following this collision, which was the third road accident to occur in the county in 48 hours.
A fourth crash on the Fermanagh/Pettigo border on Tuesday afternoon claimed another life, when a woman, believed to be from Laghy, Donegal, died following a two car collision which occurred around lunchtime. Two other people remain seriously injured.
A further nine people were injured in collisions in Ballinamallard on Saturday evening and on the Shore Road on Sunday afternoon. One 65-year-old man still remains in a critical condition following the incident on the Shore Road.
The three-vehicle accident on Monday happened just outside Brookeborough village at 4.30pm on the main Belfast Road.
The accident involved a Ford Focus and a lorry which were both travelling towards Enniskillen, and a 4x4 vehicle which was travelling in the direction of Belfast.
The 17 year-old man who died has been named as Noel Donaghy (Junior), from Tilldarg Avenue, Suffolk in West Belfast. Mr Donaghy was a front-seat passenger in the 4x4 vehicle, he was travelling along with his 20 year-old brother who has been transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital where his condition is still described as critical but stable. A third man, in his 20's, in this vehicle was also transferred to the Royal and remains in a critical condition. All three men are from West Belfast.
Two children from Fivemiletown, a seven-year-old boy and his 10-year-old sister, were travelling in the Ford Focus with their father. The driver of the lorry comes from Sion Millis. All four were taken to the Erne Hospital where they were treated for injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.
The A4 remained closed until midnight on Monday, and police are appealing for information from anyone who witnessed the crash or who arrived on the scene to get in touch by calling 0845 600 8000 or Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555111.
On Saturday six people were injured when a Honda and a Peugeot collided at Rossfad Road, near Whitehill, outside Ballinamallard shortly after 7.30pm. Five men from Ballinamallard and one woman from Enniskillen were involved.
A PSNI spokesman said one of the casualties was initially trapped and had to be freed by the Fire Service. "Several of the injured sustained broken limbs', he added, "and one was transferred from Erne Hospital to the Royal Victoria Hospital".
Meanwhile police are further appealing for information regarding a third incident which occurred shortly before 2pm on Sunday, on the Shore Road, about three miles on the Enniskillen side of Belleek.
Two vehicles were involved, an Isuzu Trooper driven by a 37-year-old man, and a Fiat Punto carrying a 65-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman. All were treated for their injuries at the Erne Hospital, and the 65-year-old man was later transferred, by helicopter, to the Royal Victoria Hospital where is condition is described as 'critical but stable'. All three involved in this incident come from County Meath.
Traffic was further disrupted on Wednesday last, when a lorry travelling on the Ballygawley to Augher road overturned its' load of empty beer bottles at the Annaghilla Road at 10am. There were no casualties from this accident, but the incident did take some time to clean up and the road remained closed until around 5pm causing major disruption to traffic in the area.
Monday's accident at Brookeborough happened close to the house of Environment Minster Arlene Foster, who said: "My thoughts are with everyone who was involved in this horrific crash near my own home. I send my condolences to the victims' families at this time of great anguish and worry for them all.
"I stated from my first day in this job that my priority is every single death and serious injury on our roads. I am committed to doing all I can to reduce carnage on our roads. That is a serious responsibility and I plan to tackle it in a serious and responsible manner," she continued.
"The 2006 figures for deaths and injuries on our roads represented a small but continuing downward trend in road deaths in Northern Ireland. However, this will be no comfort to families and communities traumatised by the loss of loved ones and crashes like this. I will keep working to prevent others going through this pain."
Likewise SDLP Fermanagh South Tyrone Assembly Member Tommy Gallagher expressed his shock and sadness, he said, "I extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the young man who lost his life and I hope that the others involved in this accident make a full and speedy recovery. People in the area are shocked about the series of horrific accidents on Fermanagh roads in recent days. Once again it's a reminder of the dangers that are always present on our roads and the need for all drivers to exercise care and attention."
Police are appealing for information on any of the accidents, and witnesses should phone 0845 600 8000 or Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555111.
