Fellow flute bandsmen among those mourning fatal victim of forklift incident Callum McVeigh (23)
A man who died in an accident involving a forklift truck was a respected sportsman, flute bandsman, member of the loyal orders, and a Christian.
Callum McVeigh, 23 and from the Crossgar area of Co Down, died on Christmas Eve, and there has since been a tsunami of tributes to him.
He was well-known in the world of Irish League football in particular and countless clubs issued statements about him, while a minute's silence was observed ahead of Boxing Day derby clashes yesterday including at Linfield VS Glentoran and Glenavon VS Portadown.
He had played variously with Linfield under-18s, Portadown, Ards, and Knockbreda, with his most recent team being Killyleagh Youth. He had also been a member of Glentoran Academy.
He was a director of McVeigh Contracts Ltd, a traffic management firm.
The PSNI described his death as being the result of a “single-vehicle road traffic collision” on a laneway off the Holywood Road in the Craigantlet area, to the east of Belfast.
The police said: “Shortly before 1pm, we received and responded to a report of a collision involving a forklift.
“Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service also attended, however, a man was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene."
They have appealed to any witnesses to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 685 24/12/25.
Belfast DUP councillor Bradley Ferguson was a friend of his, and had known him since Mr McVeigh was in his mid-teens.
He said: “He was a great young lad, heavily involved in local football, and a great young prospect.
"You’d be hard-pushed to find anybody that’d have a bad word to say about Callum.
"It’s awful – really, really terrible. There’s a lot of people in an awful lot of shock.
"At any time it’s absolutely terrible, but I think particularly at this time of year it makes it even worse."
He said that he had been a member of the Orange Order, Apprentice Boys, and Royal Black Institution, as well as Inch Flute Band.
He was also a former member of Hollymount Pipe Band.
Inch Flute Band posted up a statement saying: “Callum was more than a bandmate, he was a true friend to many, and his presence, commitment, and character meant so much to us all.
"His loss is one that will be felt deeply throughout the band and far beyond.
"Our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences are with Callum’s brother Ethan, mum and dad Lisa and Marcus and the wider family circle at this incredibly difficult time.
"May they find comfort in knowing how much he was respected, valued, and loved by everyone in the band.”
This in turn sparked statements of condolence from Pride of Ballinran, Allanton No Surrender FB in Scotland, Royal Hillsborough Protestant Boys, Ballynahinch Protestant Boys, Ballylesson Old Boys, Crossgar Young Defenders, and Dromara and District Pipe Band, among many others.
Young TUV activist Jonathan Jackson described him as his "best friend".
He said that they were “not just brothers, but brothers in Christ”, adding: “In all of this tragedy, I hold dear that you knew Jesus…
"Callum had assurance in Christ, and comfort in facing the unknown.”
His funeral details have not yet been finalised.