Victim of fatal quad bike collision named locally

Police have confirmed that the man, named locally as David Ballantine, died following a one vehicle road traffic collision in Omagh on Sunday evening.

PSNI Inspector Sterling said: “Shortly before 7:45pm, it was reported that a quad bike was involved in the collision at the Gorticashel Road. The man was then taken to hospital but sadly died as a result of his injuries.

“Enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone with any information to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1776 02/08/20.”

Local UUP councillor Bert Wilson said he knew the family affected by the tragedy and expressed his deepest sympathy to them. The collision happened on a “twisted” section of road at a bridge, he said.

“It is just tragic, a young man in the prime of life,” he told the News Letter. “The roads down there are not good.

“I would know that area very well and it would be an awkward, crooked, twisted road at that bridge.” 

West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley of Sinn Fein said the local community has been shocked by the tragic news.

“Any death on our roads is one too many,” she said.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has lost his life at this sad and tragic time.”