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Transport NI asked to investigate safety improvements at site of car and lorry collision

MLA wants action taken to improve safety on main Armagh to Portadown Road

Transport NI has been asked to look at possible measures to improve road safety at the site of a serious road traffic collision this week.

A car and lorry were involved in a collision shortly after 7am on Tuesday morning, leaving a woman in a critical condition and two others stable in hospital.

Police have also appealed tonight (Thursday) for witnesses to come forward and if anyone has dash cam footage to get in touch.

The collision happened close to the junction of the Mullanasilla Road and the lorry tumbled down an embankment and came to rest next to the Richhill Tyres Centre.

Sergeant Shannon said: “Police received a report at around 7.15am of a collision involving a white Volvo lorry and a red-coloured Seat Leon car close to the Mullanasilla Road junction.

“Police attended along with other emergency services.

“The male driver of the lorry, aged in his 50s; the male driver of the car and the female passenger, who are both aged in their 30s, were all taken to hospital where they remain.

“The Portadown Road was closed for a time, but has since re-opened.

“I am appealing to anyone who was on the Portadown Road yesterday prior to the collision, or around this time and witnessed the collision to contact us. I am also appealing to drivers travelling on the Portadown Road at this time and have a dash cam fitted to their vehicle to check their footage.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Armagh or the Collision Investigation Unit on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 206 of 30/05/18.”

Newry and Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin, meanwhile, has already spoken to Transport NI in the aftermath of the collision.

“I have raised the matter with Transport NI as to any possible improvements to safety that could be made at that location on the main Armagh to Portadown Road,” he confirmed.

He also said his thoughts were with those injured and the owners and staff of the Richhill Tyre Centre.

The business owner, Michael Somerville, told Armagh I there had been “a fair bit of damage” caused to the Tyre Centre.

But he was thankful that the collision had happened before opening time, so there were no injuries to staff or customers.

“It could have been a lot worse,” said Mr Somerville.

Mr Irwin, meanwhile, wants action taken at this location.

He said looking at the scene it was a “very frightening ordeal for all involved” and he wished those injured a swift recovery.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved in this horrific crash and I do hope that they make a full recovery from this awful ordeal,” he said.

“It is certainly a very frightening looking scene when you see a lorry on its side down an embankment and a car with heavy frontal damage.

“It is also no small mercy that the Tyre Centre had not at that point started trading for the day otherwise there would have been customers around the front doors area where the electricity pole came to rest.

“It is another very stark reminder of the dangers on our roads and the high level of accidents that sadly occur daily in our Province. It is incumbent on us all to drive with the utmost care and attention.”

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