‘A devastating tragedy coming up to Christmas’

Condolences have been paid to the family and friends of the woman killed in Tuesday night’s accident on the Moy Road.
Police forensic markings on the Moy Road near Scotch St where a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a car on Tuesday evening. INPT48-228a.Police forensic markings on the Moy Road near Scotch St where a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a car on Tuesday evening. INPT48-228a.
Police forensic markings on the Moy Road near Scotch St where a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a car on Tuesday evening. INPT48-228a.

And there have been calls not just for a review of safety on the road but for pedestrians to take extra care when walking on rural roads on dark nights,

Don Woolsey, who owns Scotch Street shop and filling station, said, “It’s a dangerous road for walking at night, There are no lights, no footpath and it’s a fast stretch as well.

“The stretch comes off a wider road from both ends. Maybe if it was wider it would be safer. It is very sad, and awful for the driver as well.”

MLA Sydney Anderson said it was a tragedy for the woman who had lost her life and for the close-knit community of Scotch Street. He added, “It is even more devastating at this time of year, coming up to Christmas.

“This is a straight, fast stretch of rural road but it is the second serious accident in recent months so I will be contacting Transport NI and asking them to look at safety on it.”

MLA John O’Dowd said, “This is a truly sad piece of news that has shocked the entire community. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the woman’s family and friends.

“It highlights once again the dangers of our roads, especially in winter with dark nights.

“I would urge all pedestrians, especially while walking on rural roads, to be visible and walk in the direction of traffic so they can see vehicles approaching. This could include anything from carrying a torch to high visibility reflective clothing.”

Fiona Murphy, who was injured along with her sister when they were knocked from their bikes by a car, said her thoughts were also with the victim’s family and the driver of the car.

Councillor Doug Beattie said some stretches of the Portadown to Moy Road are fast and “extremely dangerous”.

He added that although it was too early to speculate on the cause of the accident, it was important to highlight the lack of investment in rural road safety infrastructure.

Witnesses to the collision should contact Lurgan on the non emergency number 101.