Funeral to take place of firefighter killed in road crash

The funeral is to take place on Thursday of a firefighter killed in a road crash on Sunday morning.
Church Steeple and CrossChurch Steeple and Cross
Church Steeple and Cross

Gary Hamilton (27) has been described by friends at Portadown Fire Station as a ‘dedicated and popular colleague’.

The young man died when the Yamaha motorcycle he was riding was involved in a collision on the Castlewellan Road in Banbridge on Sunday morning.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Hamilton had been travelling towards Banbridge when the crash happened shortly before 10am.

Requiem Mass is to be held for Mr Hamilton on Thursday at 10am at St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh with burial afterwards at St Columcille’s Cemetery Knockaconey.

He is mourned by his partner Aisling, his parents Brian and Geraldine, his sister Claire and wide family circle.

The family have asked for donations in lieu of flowers to The Fireman’s Charity c/o any family member or donation box in the home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Gary Thompson said: “On behalf of NIFRS, I extend our deepest sympathies to Gary’s family.

“Our thoughts are with his partner Aisling, his parents Brian and Geraldine and sister Claire at this tragic time.

“Gary was based at Portadown Station and Armagh Retained.

“He joined NIFRS as a Retained Firefighter in June 2009 and joined the Wholetime Service in January 2013.

“He was a dedicated and popular colleague. His loss will be deeply felt not only by his colleagues in Portadown and Armagh but by the entire Service.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A PSNI spokesman said: “Police can confirm that the man who died following a road traffic collision on the Castlewellan Road in Banbridge yesterday morning was 27 year old Gary Bernard Hamilton from the Armagh area.

“Gary was travelling in the direction of Banbridge when his Yamaha motorcycle was involved in the collision shortly before 10am.

“Police are continuing to appeal for anyone who witnessed the collision, who may have dashcam footage, or who was travelling on the Castlewellan Road and observed the motorcycle prior to the collision to contact local officers in Lurgan or the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting reference 639 08/07/18.”

Related topics: