Northern Ireland

Man in his 30s killed in Christmas Eve crash in Co Down

Driver in his 30s died in single-vehicle collision in Ballynahinch area

The Moylagh Road in Beragh has reopened following Monday's crash in which a man in his 40s was killed.
A man has been killed in a crash at Downpatrick Road in Ballynahinch.

A man in his 30s has died following a Christmas Eve crash in Co Down.

The single-vehicle collision happened on the Downpatrick Road in Ballynahinch shortly before 4.45pm on Tuesday.

PSNI Inspector Cherith Adair said: “Officers attended, alongside our colleagues from partner emergency services.

“Sadly, the driver died at the scene.”

The Downpatrick Road has since reopned after being closed for a number of hours on Tuesday evening following the crash.

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Inspector Adair added: ”Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances of the collision, and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the grey VolksWagen Polo or anyone who may have captured dash-cam or other footage which could assist with our enquiries.



“You can call 101 and quote reference 967 of 24/12/24 or report online at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.”

Deputy Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Alliance councillor David Lee-Surginor spoke of the “devastating news” of the fatality in a social media post, adding: “My thoughts go out to the family during this awful time.”

The tragedy brings to 67 the number of people killed on the north’s roads so far in 2024.

It follows the death of two people in separate crashes in Monday.

Amy Stokes (20), from Ballyconnell in Co Cavan, died following a single-vehicle collision on the Ballyconnell Road in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, on Monday night. She was a passenger in the car, and three other people were treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

On Monday morning, a lorry driver was killed when his vehicle crashed in the Moylagh Road area of Beragh, Co Tyrone.