Concerns after high speed crash

Concerns after high speed crash

24 October 2012

A LOCAL politician says it’s a “miracle” no-one was killed in a serious road accident in Downpatrick last weekend.

A car travelling at high speed along the Ardglass Road towards the Killough Road junction last Saturday night veered out of control and crashed.

Councillor Colin McGrath said people in the area at the time of the accident could have been killed or seriously injured by the vehicle which crashed into a road sign and a tree before careering across a footpath.

Two men who were in the vehicle, clambered out of the car after it came to a standstill and ran off. They still haven’t been apprehended.

Councillor McGrath, who has spoken to people who witnessed the accident, believe the car approached the Killough Road junction at a speed in excess of 60mph.

“Witnesses have told me the driver lost control before the car smashed into a road sign and a tree. The vehicle’s momentum then carried it across a footpath and when it came to a stop its two male occupants ran off,” he continued.

“This was a particularly frightening event for the people who witnessed it because of the speed involved and the driver’s total loss of control.”

Councillor McGrath said there is no doubt that had anyone been on the footpath when the vehicle careered across it, “they would most definitely have been killed or seriously injured.”

He also said the tree the vehicle struck prevented the car from toppling down a steep embankment at the Killough Road towards the Vianstown Road.

Councillor McGrath added: “I would appeal to anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact police immediately before these individuals get behind the wheel of a car again.”

A PSNI spokesman said police are appealing for information following last Saturday night’s incident. He said the one-car crash was reported around 7pm and that officers were informed there were two males in the car who ran off.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or who can assist police with their enquiries is asked to contact officers at Downpatrick station, telephone 0845 600 8000, or use the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555111.