Northern Ireland

‘Another family mourning’ after woman (35) killed in A5 crash

The one-vehicle crash happened in the Victoria Road area of Bready

Oonagh Burns aged 35 who died following a single vehicle road traffic collision, near Bready, on Sunday 7th April.
Oonagh Burns, aged 35, who died following a single vehicle road traffic collision, near Bready, on Sunday
By Suzanne McGonagle

A woman killed in the latest road crash tragedy on the A5 has been named by police.

Oonagh Burns (35), who was from the Strabane area, died at the scene of the single vehicle collision on Sunday.

It happened on the Victoria Road area of Bready.

In a statement on Monday, police said Ms Burns was “driving a white Seat Leon on the Victoria Road when it left the carriageway close to the junction with the Grangefoyle Road, at around 1.40pm on Sunday afternoon”.

“Sadly, Oonagh was pronounced dead at the scene.

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“Victoria Road was closed for a number of hours following the collision but has now re-opened.

“Our investigation is underway and I would ask anyone who was travelling in the area at the time of the collision to review any dash-cam footage they may have captured and to make contact with the PSNI Collision Investigation Unit at Sprucefield by calling 101, quoting reference number 813 07/04/24.”

Tributes have been paid to Ms Burns, with many describing her as “lovely” and others writing of their heartbreak at her passing.

SDLP councillor Jason Burns said the community had been left shocked by her death.

In a post on social media, he said: “Sincere heartfelt condolences go out this morning to the Burns family at the tragic loss of their daughter and sister Oonagh.

“The Strabane community is once again left numb.

“I pray god will give the Burns family circle and friends the strength to get through this.”

Ms Burns’ is the 50th death of the A5 since 2007, when plans for a major upgrade to the route were first approved.

Expressing her condolences, Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley said it was “devastating to learn that another life has been lost on the A5 road”.

“My immediate thoughts are with this woman’s family and friends as they come to terms with this heart-breaking news,” she said.

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

“Yet again another family is left mourning by another fatal accident on this dangerous road.

“This is a sad reminder of the need to move forward and build the A5 with no more delays.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have been travelling in the area at the time of the tragedy to assist police with their inquiries.”