Local politicians react to latest A5 tragedy

LOCAL politicians express ‘shock’ and ‘devastation’ to learn that two young people have lost their lives on the A5.

Police confirmed that a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl sadly died at the scene of a single-vehicle road traffic collision which happened in the Doogary Road area of Omagh last night.

West Tyrone MP, Órfhlaith Begley, said, “The community is shocked and devastated to learn that another two young people have lost their lives on the A5 road.

“My immediate thoughts are with these young people’s families and friends as they come to terms with this unimaginable heartbreak today.

“I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services for all their efforts and for attending the scene.

“More families have been left heartbroken by another fatal collision on this dangerous road, and today’s news serves as another sad reminder of the need to move forward and build the A5 with no more delays.

“Police have appealed to anyone who may have been travelling in the area at the time with dash cam footage to assist their inquiries.”

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said immediate action was needed to progress the road upgrade, stating, “Once again we wake up this morning to the devastating news that two young people have lost their lives on the A5 road. My thoughts are with their families and friends today as they come to terms with this tragedy. I cannot imagine what they are going through and I know the community will rally around them.

“Since the return of Stormont we have already seen a number of deaths on the A5, this is happening on a regular basis and our community can not continue to brave these losses. Every day people are leaving their homes to travel on this road, causing huge worry in their families who can’t be sure that they will come home.

“We need to progress on the A5 redevelopment, we cannot afford any more delays, people’s lives are literally are stake and no excuse can be justified. We need to see the Infrastructure Minister publish the PAC findings and set a firm date for work to begin on the A5 before the end of this year. This news today is another awful reminder of the danger that everyone who travels on this road faces and it is long past time we do something about it.”