Dungannon: Man, 21, dies after single-vehicle crash on M1

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phillip raineyImage source, Family picture
Image caption,

Philip Rainey was travelling to hospital to collect his partner and their newborn baby when it happened

A 21-year-old man has died after a single-vehicle crash on the M1 motorway near Dungannon, County Tyrone.

Phillip Rainey, from Omagh, died after a BMW car left the east-bound carriageway near the Stangmore junction at about 10:40 BST on Wednesday.

He was travelling to hospital to collect his partner and their newborn baby when it happened.

He was the grandson of UUP councillor and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council's Vice Chairman Allan Rainey.

Police are appealing for information.

Anyone who was travelling in the area between 10:30 and 10:40 is urged to contact them.

The motorway was closed for some time following the incident but has since reopened.

'Utterly heartbreaking'

Ulster Unionist party leader Doug Beattie offered his "sincere condolences" to the victim's family.

"Phillip was the grandson of councillor Allan Rainey and my heart goes out to him, Phillip's mum and dad, and his partner and newborn child," he said

"For a young father to lose his life as he travelled to visit his partner and child in hospital is utterly heartbreaking."

Ulster Unionist Party group leader on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Victor Warrington, said the entire community was shocked at the news of Mr Rainey's death.

"I would like to pass on my personal condolences to my colleague Allan and the rest of the family," Mr Warrington said.