PSNI: Weekend of 'catastrophic loss' on Northern Ireland roads sees five killed and one critically ill – doubling death toll compared to 2025
A weekend of “catastrophic loss” on Northern Ireland roads has seen five people killed and one child left critically ill – taking the death toll this year to over twice that for the same period in 2025.
Since the start of this year up to 26 April there have been 29 road deaths, compared to only 14 for the same period last year, and 19 in 2024.
On Sunday a man was killed in a single vehicle collision in Omagh, while a 16-year-old boy died in another collision at Nutt's Corner which left a ten-year-old child in a critical condition.
On Saturday, two people were killed in a two-vehicle collision in Lisburn and a man was also killed in a separate collision in Caledon.
Superintendent Jonathan Wilson, of the PSNI Road Policing Unit, told the News Letter of the weekend’s devastation: "Families whose loved ones who never made it home are dealing with such sudden and catastrophic loss.
He added: "This past weekend has been tragic on our roads across Northern Ireland. Five people, within 24 hours, lost their lives over the weekend, with others left injured.”
Police said two vehicles collided on the Belfast Road, at Nutts Corner on Sunday just before 8am, a Black Volkswagen Golf and a silver Volkswagen Passat.
A male passenger in the Passat, aged 16 and from Tipperary, passed away at the scene. The Passat driver sustained minor injuries, while two other passengers are in hospital, including a child, 10, who remains critical.
The Golf driver was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences.
In the Omagh area, police said that motorcyclist Patrick Deery, 61 and from Dungannon, died following a single vehicle collision on the Clanabogan Road near Omagh around on Sunday morning.
And in the Lisburn incident, the drivers of a motorcycle and a car were killed in a collision in the Glenavy Road around 6pm on Saturday. Their names have not been released. Another person was taken to hospital.
Police also confirmed that one person died following a single-vehicle collision involving a van in the Caledon area on Saturday night.
Mr Wilson said the PSNI is continuing to appeal for information and dash cam footage on all four collisions.
"The thoughts and sympathies of the Police Service of Northern Ireland are with the families and the loved ones of those who have died, and those who were injured,” he said.
"These deaths are a stark reminder of the very real dangers that exist on our roads.
"So far this year, 29 people have lost their lives on our roads in Northern Ireland.
"We can and must do more to reduce serious and fatal collisions on our roads.
"We must all work together to make our roads safer and stop the pain being experienced by far too many people from happening again.
"This year so far, we have more than more than twice the number of road fatalities compared to the same time last year when as of 27 April 2025, 14 people had died on our roads."
He urged all drivers to remember the fatal five factors: “Slow down, even within the speed limit, never drink or drug drive, stay off your phone, wear your seat belt and don’t be distracted.”
"To all drivers and road users, look out for each other, respect the road and respect other road users."