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‘A very dark day’: Community in shock after three killed in Co Armagh crash

Families have been left engulfed by shock and grief after three people were killed in a crash in Co Armagh, a senior PSNI officer has said.

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The victims, two men aged 31 and 48 and a woman (23), died at the scene of the accident outside the Moy on Saturday night.

Local MLA Diana Armstrong said the “toll of the loss of life” had shocked the community.

Three people have also been taken to hospital with injuries. They are in a stable condition.

The accident happened on the main road between the Moy and Armagh. It involved a red BMW, a grey Volkswagen and a white Audi.

Police arrived at the scene within 12 minutes of being alerted, with officers administering CPR to those who were injured.

PSNI officers at the scene. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. 

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: “At around 10.20pm, police received a report of a three-vehicle collision involving a red BMW, a grey Volkswagen and a white Audi.

“Officers attended, along with colleagues from other emergency services, however, two men, aged 31 and 48, and a woman, aged 23, were sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

“Four other people sustained injuries, three of whom are receiving medical treatment.”

Speaking at the scene, Mr Beck said: “Can I just take a moment to extend my personal and my heartfelt condolences to the families impacted by this tragedy.

“One can only imagine the real sense of shock and grief that is engulfing these families at this particular time.”

Community representatives have spoken of their shock and sadness.

Today is a very dark day for families who have been plunged into shock and mourning following last night’s road traffic collision

Diana Armstrong MLA

Mrs Armstrong, a UUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said: “Today is a very dark day for families who have been plunged into shock and mourning following last night’s road traffic collision on the Armagh Road, Moy.

“I send my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who died in this horrific collision, who must be totally at a loss to comprehend the scale of this tragedy.

“The toll of the loss of life in this incident has shocked the local community and many will be holding those impacted in their thoughts and prayers today.

“My thanks go to the PSNI and emergency services who attended the scene and transferred those affected for medical treatment.”

DUP MLA Gareth Wilson said it was “absolutely horrific news”.

“This is a really terrible incident and once again a road traffic accident has caused untold grief and misery on a significant scale,” he said.

SDLP councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said: “This is a devastating tragedy for everyone involved. Three families and their wider communities have been plunged into deep grief. There are truly no words that can ease such pain, other than to offer our thoughts and prayers at this incredibly difficult time.”

Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said: “The community are deeply shocked today and I know that we will all do everything that we can to support these families in what will be difficult days to come.”

Three people have been taken to hospital following a “serious road traffic collision” in Co Armagh. © Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
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Forensic investigators were at the crash site, which is at a dip in the road, on Sunday morning.

Local people reported being alerted to the accident by the sound of emergency crews rushing to the scene.

One person who lives nearby described seeing a large number of ambulances.

“I heard sirens and saw blue lights, there were a lot of ambulances – it was clear it was very serious,” they said.
“There’s a lot of shock in the area today.”

Another said: “I was at home and heard a siren, then another, and another. A lot of emergency vehicles seemed to be on the scene very quickly.”

The cars were removed from the scene on Sunday and the road has now reopened.

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service confirmed three people have been taken to hospital.

“The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 10.23pm on Saturday, following reports of a serious road traffic collision on Armagh Road Moy,” a spokesperson said.

“NIAS despatched three Rapid Response paramedics, seven emergency crews, one HART crew, an ambulance officer and an ambulance doctor to the incident.

“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, two patients were taken to Craigavon Area Hospital and another to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.”