PSNI name man who died in Coalisland petrol station collision as Gerard Rafferty or 'Jock'
Police have confirmed that a man has sadly died following a collision in Coalisland today Wednesday 28 January.
The PSNI said he was 71-year-old Gerard Rafferty, known as 'Jock,' from the Coalisland area.
According to reports, a car crashed through a petrol station shop window on Moor Road.
Chief Inspector Simpson, from the Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Police received a report at around 12.20pm that a car had crashed into a shop in the Moor Road area and struck a member of the public.
“Officers, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, attended the scene.
“However, Mr Rafferty sadly passed away a short time afterwards.
“The Moor Road remains closed to road-users between Washingbay Road and Gortgonis Road.
“Our enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have digital footage which could assist with our investigation, to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 651 of 28/01/26.”
The NI Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 12.16pm today following reports of the incident.
An emergency ambulance and the charity air ambulance, with the helicopter emergency medical service on board, were tasked to the incident.
No patients were taken from the scene, the ambulance service added.
The News Letter asked the PSNI whether the incident is being treated as an accident or potentially as a criminal incident, however the PSNI has not offered any clarification at this time.
Sinn Fein MLA for Mid Ulster, Linda Dillon, told the BBC: “This is a very close tight-knit community and I know that the community will rally round all those involved.”