Dromore motorcyclist laid to rest

The 24 year-old from Blackskull Road, Dromore, died following an accident on Friday night when his motorbike was involved in a collision with a car at Woodland Park, Lisburn.

Mr Graham, who worked in his father’s engineering firm, will be buried from his home and a service will be held later in the afternoon at Maze Presbyterian Church, with the address given by the Rev William Henry.

His parents, Alan and Dorothy, said they had lost a “darling son”. He also leaves a sister Gillian, brother Ross, brother-in-law Mark, nephews Ben and Lewis and grandfather Jackie Heasley.

Death notices said Mr Graham would be lovingly remembered by the entire family circle.

The two-vehicle collision left a 17 year-old female driver and her 11 year-old male passenger with minor injuries and requiring treatment for shock.

The tragedy is the second to hit the Dromore and Blackskull areas within a week and follows the sudden death of 15 year-old schoolboy David Preece who was knocked down by a car on the Donacloney Road near Blackscull - he was just yards from his home.

Local politicians have expressed their sympathy in the wake of this latest accident which has left another family heartbroken and the local community again united in grief.

Ulster Unionist MLA Basil McCrea said Friday’s accident was a tragedy for the Graham family and the local community.

“A road death is always a shock, but it’s particularly sad when someone with their whole life ahead of them dies in this way,” he said.

Another MLA for the area, Trevor Nunn, urged all road users to be wary of each other and ensure they drive carefully at all times.

“I know that the Department of the Environment has done some very good work to promote road safety, but even one death on our roads is too many and shows that more must be done,” he said.

Several floral tributes have been left at the scene of the accident at Woodland Park, a quiet residential area just off the city’s Hillsborough Road.

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the accident, which happened around 6.30pm, to contact them with information. The number to ring is Lisburn Police Station, 0845 600 8000.