'My heart is broken' - Tributes paid after horror crash claims the lives of tragic Layla Douglas and Mikey Brown

The couple, aged in their 20s, had been travelling on the Lurgan Road, which runs to the west of Glenavy village in Co Antrim on Saturday.

A PSNI spokesman said that shortly after 6.25pm they received a report of a collision involving a grey Skoda Fabia and a grey Cupra Formentor on the Lurgan Road.

“Our officers attended alongside emergency service partners, however the two occupants of the Cupra were pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The driver of the Skoda was transferred to hospital for treatment to his injuries.

“Our enquiries are continuing, and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have digital footage which could assist with our investigation, to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 1121 22/11/25.”

On social media a post says: ‘My heart is broken’ and ‘rest in perfect paradise to my baby girl’.

It adds ‘I can’t believe I’m writing this’ and ‘no mother or father should ever feel the way I do’.

‘Layla I love you with everything I got,’ it adds.

‘I hope your happy in heaven I will never forget you my one and only baby girl’, adds the post adding ‘you was loved by everyone especially by your brother David and me and your mummy’.

The post ends with ‘this is not good bye it’s never good bye i know your happy in heaven’.

Another post on social media from Townland Boxing abc says: ‘We are truly devastated to hear of the tragic death of young Mikey Brown.

‘Mikey trained in our club many years ago such a lovely kid even after all this time he would stop and have a conversation with you and ask about the club.

‘Such a tragic loss for his family.

‘We would like to send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to his father Mikey and his mother and sisters and the entire family circle. RIP Mikey’.

After the collision Alliance MLA John Blair told the News Letter: “It's the saddest news imaginable coming from Glenavy.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two young people who have sadly passed away as a result of this RTC.

“There's never a good time for such news, but in the run-up to Christmas it’s particularly stressful and obviously devastating for the family.”

Mr Blair said that Glenavy is a “close-knit” village which will “rally round" those affected, adding that there will be “sadness and shock” throughout the community.

And UUP MLA for South Antrim Steve Aiken said: “It’s awful news this weekend.

“It's a terrible accident, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends.”