Man (36) killed in A5 road collision

A 36-YEAR-OLD man has died following a devastating late-night crash on one of Co Tyrone’s most notorious roads.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed the man was killed in a two-vehicle collision in the Garvaghy area on Monday evening.

According to Chief Inspector Simpson from the PSNI’s Collision Investigation Unit, officers received a report shortly before 10.15pm on February 23 of a crash involving a white Audi A6 and a silver Nissan Micra on the Omagh Road, part of the A5.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, the driver of the Nissan Micra was pronounced dead at the roadside.

Three occupants of the Audi A6 were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

The busy A5 - a key arterial route between Ballygawley and Omagh - was closed in both directions overnight as specialist officers carried out a forensic examination. The road has since fully reopened.

Police say enquiries are ongoing and have appealed to anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dash-cam or other digital footage to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 1578 23/02/26.

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Spokesperson said: “The thoughts and sympathies of Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are with the loved ones of a man who died following a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the Omagh Road, Ballygawley.

“Firefighters received the initial call at 10.25pm yesterday evening and two Fire Appliances from Clogher Fire Station attended the incident.

“Firefighters made the scene safe and assisted with casualty care. Tragically, a man died at the scene.

“Firefighters left the scene at 11.36pm”

The tragedy has reignited fierce political debate over safety on the A5, a road long associated with serious and fatal crashes.

West Tyrone DUP Assembly member Tom Buchanan told the Assembly yesterday that the A5 was once again “in the news for all the wrong reasons.”

“The closure of this road as a result of another serious accident highlights the dangers posed to all who travel on it on a daily basis,” he said. “I appeal to all motorists travelling on it to exercise extreme caution and care.”

Mr Buchanan said that over recent years there have been “far too many accidents” on the A5, claiming numerous lives and leaving many others with life-changing injuries.

“While a new road may be on the horizon at some stage in the future, this is no excuse for the Department for Infrastructure minister to neglect carrying out road safety improvements on certain stretches of the A5 in an effort to help curb further accidents,” he said.

He called for immediate, low-cost safety interventions, including upgraded junctions, speed cameras on certain stretches, and clearer road signage and markings.

“Today I call upon the minister to give serious consideration to such measures,” he added. “I want to assure those involved in this serious accident of our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time for them and their families.”

As another family begins to grieve, pressure is mounting once again for urgent action on a road many believe has claimed too many lives already.