Glenshane tanker collision victim ‘was a farmer with a lovely character’

A young man who lost his life when his car collided with a tanker lorry has been described as “an absolutely lovely guy” whose loss has shocked his community.
By Adam Kula
Published 9th Aug 2021, 20:34 BST
Updated 9th Aug 2021, 21:22 BST
The white lorry at the scene after the crash; inset, Mr DevineThe white lorry at the scene after the crash; inset, Mr Devine
The white lorry at the scene after the crash; inset, Mr Devine

Conor Devine, aged 30 and from the tiny hamlet of Park in Co Londonderry (not far from Claudy) died when the silver Volvo he was driving hit the large white tanker at roughly 5.20am today.

According to the Met Office, the crash happened about 20 minutes before sunrise.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The driver of the tanker lorry was taken to hospital what were believed to be non-serious injuries.

The crash is understood to have happened between the village of Dungiven and the Tobermore Road/Glenshane Road junction.

Limavady SLDP councillor Ashleen Schenning, who is from Park, told the News Letter he had been a neighbour of hers.

“He was a lovely character, a lot of life,” she said.

“I just met him on the road there the other day; he was a farmer and he was tidying up the land there on either side of the road to make it safe for people – he was that kind of character.

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“He was an absolutely lovely guy. It’s just a complete shock.

“The village is just numb. It’s such a tragedy. There’s no words.

“I’ve boys just a bit younger than Conor and I can’t even begin to imagine the anguish the family is going through.”

She said a Park is no stranger to such tragedies though, adding that a resident of the hamlet had died several years earlier in a road crash while just a teenager.

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Meanwhile Sinn Fein councillor Kathleen McGurk said: “I offer my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Conor Devine who has sadly lost his life on our roads this morning.

“This tragedy has shocked the local community of Park. As a small rural village, it will be deeply saddened to lose a young man like Conor however I have no doubt the community will support his family as they grieve for their loss.

“Every life lost on our roads is one too many, but it is especially sad to hear of a young person losing their lives.”

This was echoed by fellow Benbradagh SF councillor Sean McGlinchey, who said he came from a well-established family in Park who are widely known.

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Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have captured it on their dash cam or who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to police, is asked to call officers on 101, quoting reference 233 of 09/08/21.

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