Ballynahinch: Lorry crash victim Giovanni Buggea 'a lovely man'

A number of roads were closed following the incident in Ballynahinch town centre, but they have since reopened

The owner of a pub in Ballynahinch has said the community is in shock after a man died after he was hit by a lorry.

Giovanni Buggea, 70, died on Monday after being knocked down and carried for six miles (9.6km).

Mark Murnin, who owns Paddy Kelly's pub, said Mr Buggea was "a lovely man" whom people would have seen walking around the town every day.

"He was a wonderful character who enjoyed coming in to the bar," he told BBC News NI.

Police believe Mr Buggea was hit by the lorry in The Square, Ballynahinch, on Monday afternoon.

However, his body was not found until a short time later when the lorry arrived at a quarry on the Newcastle Road in Seaforde.

Mr Murnin said he came across a shoe lying in the road on Monday.

"It's only when I got a call from police that two and two were put together," he said.

Mr Murnin said the whole experience had been "very traumatic".

"Every day you would have seen Giovanni walking around the town," he said.

"If people didn't know his name - they knew him from seeing him around the town. The level of shock is very high."

Mr Buggea was originally from Sicily and according to Mr Murnin had plans to return later in the year.

Police said a full investigation into the fatal incident was ongoing and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.