A5: Caolan Devlin dies after crash involving lorry and car
- Published
The crash happened on a part of the road between Omagh and Ballygawley
The man who died following a crash between a car and a lorry on the A5 in County Tyrone on Tuesday was Caolan Devlin.
The 30-year-old was driving a BMW and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The collision happened on the Curr Road, between Omagh and Ballygawley, shortly before 19:20 GMT.
Mr Devlin was the only occupant of the car which collided with a lorry. Police said the lorry driver was not hurt.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 19:18 GMT and despatched crews to the scene - along with police and firefighters.
'Dangerous road'
West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley described Mr Devlin's death as an "absolute tragedy".
"My immediate thoughts are with his family and friends as they come to terms with this heart-breaking news," she said.
"Yet again another family is left devastated by another fatal crash on this dangerous road."
Órfhlaith Begley described Mr Devlin's death as an "absolute tragedy"
Last month the Irish government announced funding of €600m for an upgrade of the road.
Despite first being announced about 16 years ago, work has not yet started on the project, which has been beset by numerous delays and legal challenges.
'Scene of heartbreak'
Ms Begley appealed to objectors to the scheme stop their challenges.
"This is one of the most dangerous roads on this island," she said.
"It has been the scene of heartbreak for far, far too many families. We need to see the delivery of the A5 [project] in its entirety.
"Any more delays to this project will cost lives."
Her party's deputy leader, First Minister Michelle O'Neill, said she was deeply shocked and saddened by Mr Devlin's death, describing him as a "much-loved young man with a bright future ahead of him".
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Social Democratic and Labour Party assembly member Daniel McCrossan said his sympathies were with Mr Devlin's family and friends.
"The local community will also be reeling at the loss of yet another young life on this road, but I know they will do everything they can to support those affected," he said.
'Growing feeling of anger'
Niall McKenna, chair of the A5 Enough is Enough Campaign, said there is "total devastation in the Tyrone community".
He described a "growing feeling of anger in Tyrone" over the delays to the A5 upgrade.
There is frustration regarding "the dysfunctionality of the system that allows this sorry saga to go on and on" he said.
Niall McKenna described a "growing feeling of anger in Tyrone"
"More delays will inevitably mean more deaths unfortunately.
"Now there is another family, the Devlin family in Coalisland last night, whose son didn't come home to them and that's very traumatic and horrendous for them."
Police have appealed to anyone with any information or who may have dashcam or mobile phone footage to contact them.