'A loss of life is always a tragedy especially for their family' - Pedestrian killed in traffic collision named as PSNI appeal for dash-cam footage
Police have confirmed the name of the man who died following a road traffic collision in east Belfast on Saturday, November 29.
He was He was 71-year-old John Atkinson from the Stormont area in Belfast. Chief Inspector Simpson, of the Collision Investigation Unit said: “Police received a report at approximately 10.40pm on Saturday evening of a collision involving a Mercedes Vito and a pedestrian on the Upper Newtownards Road.
“Our officers attended, alongside our colleagues from partner emergency services.
"Sadly, Mr Atkinson was pronounced deceased at hospital a short time later.
“Collision Investigation Unit detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision, and would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dash-cam or other footage which may assist with our enquiries. “If you can assist, please contact Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference 1677 of 29/11/25, or submit information online at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/."
UUP Councillor Jim Rodgers, said: ‘My heart goes out in sympathy to the family of the road collision.
"It is so sad whenever a death happens like that in an accident.
The amount of vehicles involved in collisions on our roads is scary.”
Meanwhile in another fatal road traffic collision outside Enniskillen on Friday two men died when their car was in collision with a Bus Éireann coach.
Local people understand the men were Polish and from Galway.
The PSNI said: “Shortly after 7pm, we received a report of a collision involving a Ford Kuga and a bus on the Derrylin Road.
“Officers attended, alongside emergency service partners, however the two occupants of the Kuga were pronounced deceased at the scene.
“There have been no reports of any serious injuries to the driver or passengers of the bus at this time.”
The road was closed for a time but has since reopened.
The coach involved was Bus Eireann’s Dublin to Donegal service.
A statement said: “Bus Eireann can confirm that yesterday evening one of our Expressway Route 30 services was involved in a serious road traffic collision involving another vehicle in the Derrylin Road area of Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.
“Emergency services and Bus Eireann personnel attended the scene.
“The safety of our passengers, staff and the public is of paramount importance to Bus Eireann.
“We will provide any assistance required to the relevant authorities.”
Fermanagh & South Tyrone UUP MLA Diana Armstrong said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident on the Derrylin Road at the Tiravally Road junction involving Bus Éireann and a car, which claimed the lives of two people.
"My thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the families and loved ones affected by this devastating loss.
“The Derrylin Road is a busy route with significant north-south traffic and may require the Department for Infrastructure to consider any new measures that could improve safety along this route.”
And Sinn Fein Councillor for Erne West, Declan McArdle added: “They hit the airport bus, probably coming from Dublin to Donegal and stopping off in Enniskillen and if you were not local you would not know that.
"They probably didn’t know the road and the traffic.
"It is very very sad because a loss of life is always a tragedy especially for their family.
“That road never ever sleeps between business traffic and locals it is always on the go”.