A 20-year-old woman has died in a collision on the Legacorry Road in Richhill.
She was a passenger in a car that collided with a lorry at around 3.35pm this afternoon.
The female driver of the vehicle has been taken to hospital for treatment to injuries which are thought to be very serious.
Police investigating the circumstances of the collision would like to hear from witnesses. The number to call is 101.
The accident happened on the Legacorry Road, and the road was closed between Stonebridge Roundabout and Castle Drive.
Newry & Armagh DUP Assemblyman William Irwin MLA has spoken of his sadness following yet another road fatality in the constituency.
Speaking from the scene Mr Irwin stated: “This really is an absolute tragedy and yet another family has been plunged into grief this evening.
“I want to pass on my deepest sympathy to the family of this young woman who has sadly lost her life close to Richhill village.
“I understand the driver of the car has been taken to hospital with what are described as serious injuries and I hope and pray she makes a speedy recovery from this awful ordeal.
“I live not far from this location and I know this particular accident occurred on a very sharp bend. I understand from speaking to local people that the car collided with a lorry and ended up in a field.
“There has been a number of accidents at this spot both in the past and in recent times and sadly this latest incident has resulted in a fatality.”
Mr Irwin added: “I must reiterate that it is incumbent on all of us to take great care on the roads, especially in these winter months.
“None of us think an accident will happen when we are out and about, yet as we have sadly seen especially in recent days, an accident can occur in a split second and have such devastating consequences.”
Sinn Fein MLA, Cathal Boylan, said: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking to have to make yet another one of these statements, just days after we laid two other young people from the district to rest following a road traffic collision,” he said.
“This is first and foremost a time to bear in mind the family and friends of the young woman killed. I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone in the area when I offer them our sympathy and support.
“Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the other woman in the car who is currently in a very serious condition in hospital.
“But I would also take this opportunity to urge, to plead with, the young people of the district to take every precaution on the roads. The consequences of a moment’s lapse in concentration or loss of control are quite simply life destroying.
“Please, please; slow down, belt up and be aware that many of our roads, particularly our rural roads, are in a horrendous condition and fraught with danger. We’ve had enough heartbreak here.”
Richhill Councillor Jim Speers and Danny Kennedy, Ulster Unionist MLA for Newry & Armagh, have expressed their sympathies to the families of the young women involved in a road accident just outside Richhill.
Councillor Speers said: “My sympathies go to the family of the young lady who tragically lost her life. We must also think about the young woman who has sustained serious injuries and hope and pray that she can recover. This is an almost unimaginable situation which these families now face.”
Danny Kennedy said: “This is more heartbreaking news for families in County Armagh. They are in our thoughts and prayers. What started out as just another normal day has ended in tragedy. It is hard to comprehend the loss which family members now feel. The local communities will rally round and offer what support they can.”
The tragedy comes just a week after two teenage friends, Andrew Gass and Mark Hutcheson, died after their vehicle left the Cladymilltown Road, near Markethill.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this sad time.
Picture by Mark Winter
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