Belfast City Hospital: Family devastated at death of 'vibrant soul'

Tara Wright's body was near Belfast City Hospital on Sunday

The teenage girl whose body was found near Belfast City Hospital on Sunday was Tara Wright.

Police believe the 17-year-old's death is connected to a single-vehicle crash on the outskirts of the city on Sunday.

A man injured in that crash on the Ballygowan Road is in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

Miss Wright's parents said they were "devastated" and that Tara was a "vibrant soul with a zest for life that could bring joy to all around her".

"Tara was a kind, funny, charismatic, bright young girl with her whole life ahead of her and we can't believe that we now have to say goodbye to her," a statement released to the media said.

'Investigation at early stage'

Four men, aged 20, 21, 28 and 30 were arrested on Sunday in connection with the incident. They have been released on bail.

Police say they are helping them to establish the circumstances of Miss Wright's death.

Miss Wright's body was found in a grey MG car in the hospital grounds shortly before 03:00 GMT by staff from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

A silver Mercedes was recovered from undergrowth near a roundabout on the Ballygowan Road

About 25 minutes earlier, a silver Mercedes was found on its roof in undergrowth in Castlereagh and a man was taken to hospital.

"Our investigation is at an early stage, however, we do believe that Tara was injured during the one-vehicle road traffic collision on the Ballygowan Road," PSNI Insp Nigel Henry said.

"We are appealing to anyone who witnessed either the silver Mercedes or grey MG to contact us to assist us with our enquiries.

"We also believe that a grey coloured MG vehicle conveyed Tara to the area of Belfast City Hospital therefore we are also appealing to anyone who witnessed this vehicle between the Ballygowan Road and the Hospital to contact police.

"I would also urge anyone who may have dashcam footage of either vehicle taken in the early hours of Sunday morning to contact us," he added.

A grey MG was taken away from Belfast City Hospital for a forensic examination