Former Banbridge councillor John Hanna killed in crash

The scene of a Fatal accident on the Ballinlea Road Ballintoy Ballycastle on Monday afternoon where John Hanna died after a tracor overturned he was a former councillor on Banbridge Council and the husband of Cllr Joan Baird a councillor on the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Coleraine.The accident happened close to his home on the Ballinlea Road Ballintoy. Picture Kevin McAuley/ McAuley Multimedia

Mr. Hanna was driving a tractor when he was killed. No other vehicle is believed to have been involved in the accident on the Ballinlea Road Ballintoy in North Antrim.

Mr. Hanna was living in the North Antrim area with his wife Joan Baird, also a councillor.

Causeway Coast and Glens Independent Councillor Padraig McShane has expressed his condolences to his colleague Councillor Baird on the tragic loss of her husband.

Former Ulster Unionist councillor John Hanna. Picture Kevin McAuley/ McAuley Multimedia

Councillor McShane said Mr Hanna was a “larger than life character”.

“I recently met John at the Ballintoy vintage tractor rally where he sailed through the village saluting all the onlookers with an endearing and jovial style that was unique to himself.

“On behalf of my friends and colleagues I would extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to Councillor Baird and the Hanna family at this deeply traumatic time.”

Mr Hanna was a Councillor on Banbridge District Council until his recent retirement in 2015.