Three people have been killed in separate weekend road crashes, including a teenage boy described as a “phenomenal talent” in the formula racing circuit.
In the most recent crash, a man in his thirties lost his life in a road collision in Co Antrim.
Stephen Carmichael (33) from Ballyclare died in a single-vehicle crash on Saturday shortly before midnight.
The collision, involving a black Volkswagen, happened on the Ballyrobert Road in Ballyclare.
A PSNI spokeswoman said ambulance and fire service personnel accompanied police at the single-vehicle crash.
Mr Carmichael died at the scene.
Police have appealed for anyone with information, or dashcam footage, to contact them.
Tributes posted online described him as a “lovely fella” and a “superb guy, be sadly missed by everyone who knew him”.
Meanwhile, Jack Morrow (17) from Rathfriland, who was killed in a single-vehicle crash, has been described as young man “destined for big things”.
He died at the scene of the crash on the Banbridge Road in Rathfriland at around 2.30am on Saturday, while a 19-year-old man who was also in the car suffered serious injuries.
Well-known in the stock car scene, Jack was a multiple race and championship winner and the first ever junior productions British champion.
In a statement, DMC Race Promotions described him as a “quiet, unassuming lad who let his driving on the track do the talking”.
“A multiple winner in Ninja Karts, it was when he moved up to the Junior Productions formula that he really stood out,” the statement said.
“He quickly became the driver to beat in the class and remained there until the end of his Juniors career.
𝗦𝗮𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 - 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 DMC Race Promotions were shocked to learn of the sudden passing of Jack Morrow as a result of a...
Posted by DMC Race Promotions on Saturday 25 May 2024
“British Champion, Irish Champion, Irish Open Champion, NI Points Champion and Scottish Open Champion were just some of the accolades he gathered during his time in the formula.
“In recent times Jack dabbled in the Superstox formula with us and was surely destined for big things in oval racing.”
Nutts Corner Raceway remembered Jack as a “multi-championship winning racer who was a phenomenal talent and a dominant force in any formula he raced”.
“Jack will be sadly missed by all in the oval racing community,” it said.
All at Nutts Corner Raceway are deeply shocked and saddened to learn that oval racing superstar Jack Morrow #924 has...
Posted by Nutts Corner Raceway on Saturday 25 May 2024
A moments applause was held at a race track in Scotland in memory of the teenager on Saturday night.
Hardie Race Promotions remembered Jack as a “Northern Irish starlet”.
“Jack was a regular attendee at Lochgelly Raceway during his time in the junior production class, winning the Scottish Open in 2022 and was the first ever Junior Production British Champion the same year,” it said.
Stormont infrastructure minister John O’Dowd extended “sincere condolences to all those impacted” in the latest tragedies.
“Too many lives have been cut short or forever changed by serious injury as a result of road traffic collisions and too many people are left to deal with the devastating consequences,” he said.
“I am appealing to all road users to be mindful of others using our roads and exercise care and caution when travelling.”
Meanwhile a man in his 60s also lost his life in a road crash in Poyntzpass on Friday.
The collision happened on the Newry Road.. The man’s name has not yet been released.
A PSNI spokeswoman said: “Officers received and responded to a report of a collision involving two vehicles, shortly after 6.30pm.
“Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service also attended the scene.
“Sadly, the driver of grey coloured Peugeot 207 died at the scene due to his injuries.
“There are no reports of any other serious injuries at this time.”