Three young friends killed on the A1 have been named as Peter Hughes from Dromintee, Gavin Sloan from Kilkeel and Conall Havern from Newry.
The friends, two aged 20 and one aged 19, were travelling in a red Vauxhall Corsa when the crash happened between Dromore and Banbridge last night.
The female driver of the Volkswagen was taken to hospital for treatment for her injuries that are not believed to be life threatening.
Inspector Stephen Humphries is appealing for anyone who was travelling on the A1 Dual Carriageway yesterday evening and who witnessed the collision to contact local Police at Banbridge or the Collision Investigation Unit on the non-emergency number 101.
Dromintee GAA posted a message on their Facebook page. It read: Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hughes & Murphy family on the sad loss of Peter, our senior/junior player. All training and games have been postpone until further notice, a fine young Gael has left us, to his parents Paul and Sharon, sister Jennifer, brothers Kevin and Ryan our deepest sympathies xxx.”
Peter Hughes from Dromintee. Pic: Facebook
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly said weather conditions late on Sunday meant “atrocious driving conditions”.
She said: “I was very saddened to hear that a crash this evening had claimed the lives of three people. I want to express my deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims’ families who have lost their loved ones tonight.
“The victims’ families will be in my thoughts and prayers and I know the community will rally to support them during this terrible time.”
Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson said: “The weather and road conditions at the time of the accident were poor and once again highlight the dangers which exist on our roads. “I would appeal to people to take extra caution on our roads.”
Newry and Armagh MP Mickey Brady has said his thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed in an accident on the A1 at the weekend.
“The loss of three more lives, and such young lives, on our roads is nothing short of a tragedy,” he said.
“While the pain will be felt most acutely by the family and friends of those killed, their deaths have cast a shadow over the entire area.
“Road conditions on Sunday were extremely poor but finding out what exactly happened is for another day. Right now our thoughts and prayers are with three families going through unimaginable grief.”
Friends Peter Hughes, Conall Havern and Gavin Sloan
