Funeral held for ‘well respected’ teen killed in crash

An 18-year-old man who died following a car crash in Co Down earlier this week was described as “like any lad at his age” during his funeral today.
By Niall Deeney
Published 26th Jun 2020, 12:19 BST
Updated 26th Jun 2020, 14:32 BST
PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker PressPACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker Press
PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker Press

Samuel McCullough, a student from Crossgar, was a passenger in a Peugeot 207 when it collided with a Volkswagen Polo on the Coily Hill Road in the early hours of Monday morning.

Six other young people were taken to hospital following the horror crash.

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Large crowds gathered for the funeral procession from his home to the Church of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Joseph Church Crossgar, where only a small number of close family and friends gathered for the Requiem Mass due to coronavirus restrictions.

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker PressPACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker Press
PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker Press

Fr Brendan Smyth, parish priest of Kilmore and Killyleagh, offered words of comfort to Mr McCullough’s mother, Pamela.

“We gather and we should be here,” he said. “The thing is, Pamela, you and your children — you don’t do it alone.

“The many stories, they all show us that Sam-man was someone who was very loved and had a great circle of friends. That doesn’t happen because you’re nasty and up to all sorts of mischief — not with Sam-man, he was well respected. That is a consolation.

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“So many couldn’t come into the Church because of restrictions but I know they certainly made their presence and their feelings felt opver the days of the wake and by their presence outside.

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker PressPACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker Press
PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker Press

“You’re not alone.”

In his homily, Fr Smyth said: “We thank god that for you Pamela, Chelsea, Catherine and Thomas that you are able to come today with the family gathered here and the family that has gathered outside.

“And so we gather as this immediate family of Sam man to place him into God’s care - a son, a brother, a twin, a grandson, cousin, a friend.

Though many would wish to be inside (the Church) there are many outside the Church this morning who are listening to eithr the live streaming of Sam man’s requiem mass, who listen to what is said and support you, Pamela and your children, with their prayers, friendfship and support.

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker PressPACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker Press
PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 26/6/2020 The funeral of Samuel McCullough in Crossgar today following his death last week in a road traffic collision. The funeral of the 18 year old was attended by many of his family and friends. Photo Pacemaker Press
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“It is true to say that you and your children have had powerful expressions of the fondness with which Sam man was held.”

The parish priest continued: “He was by no means a saint but then who of us are?

“He was like any lad at his age, interested in the things like anyone else in his peer group.”



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