Former police officer, 80s, killed in crash was ‘stalwart of the Church’

A father-of-three who died following a road crash in Saintfield on Wednesday has been described as “part of the fabric” of his Church.

Norman Jackson, a former police officer who was in his 80s, died following the two-car crash which happened on the Station Road, Saintfield shortly before 4pm on Wednesday.

““His life revolved around First Saintfield and he was a stalwart in the fabric of the Church,” DUP councillor Kathryn Owen said.

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“He was very much a well known person in the local community. He has been in the house where he’d lived for most of his live and he was well known for his involvement in the Church.

“His children are all grown up and have flown the nest.

“Sadly, this was his first day out because he had been shielding. He was going for his first run into Saintfield, which is absolutely heartbreaking after being at home for all that time.”

She added: “My thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Mr Jackson’s death follows the tragic passing of 18-year-old Samuel McCullough in the nearby village of Crossgar just weeks ago.

Mr McCullough was a passenger in a Peugeot 207 when it collided with a Volkswagen Polo on the Coily Hill Road in the early hours of June 22.

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Alliance councillor Patrick Brown said: “It is very tragic news to have yet another death on our roads in a matter of weeks.

“It is a real blow for the community of Rowallane.”

DUP MLA Peter Weir said: “Desperately sad to hear that a man has died following a two vehicle collision in Saintfield. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends at this most difficult time. I understand that a female driver in a separate car was injured and has been taken to hospital. I wish her a full and speedy recovery.”

In a family notice published by Norman McBriar and Son funeral directors, Norman Jackson is described as “sorely missed by his wife Constance and children Barbara, Alan and Adrian.”

Meanwhile, the PSNI has confirmed that a motorcyclist has died as a result of injuries sustained in a single-vehicle collision that happened last month.

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Alan McCullough, a 29-year-old from Newtownabbey, died from the injuries he sustained in the crash on Church Road in Newtownabbey on June 22.

“He was taken to hospital for treatment of serious injuries following the collision, but he sadly passed away from his injuries,” a police spokesperson said.

There have now been 30 road deaths in Northern Ireland since the beginning of the year, PSNI statistics show.