Curb boy racers plea after death

Curb boy racers plea after death

2 July 2014

THE devastated family of a pensioner who died after being struck by a car has slammed the “arrogance” of boy racers — and say they should be made to face their victims.

Patrick Wilkinson was standing outside his family’s farm just before 4.20pm on the Killard Road in Ballyhornan on Wednesday afternoon when he was run over in a reported race between two cars.

The accident happened on the same stretch of road where residents have been appealing in recent years to Roads Service and other government departments for a 30mph sign and footpaths to be erected.

Seventy-two year-old Mr. Wilkinson was originally from Ballinderry but had recently moved to Ballyhornan to spend more time with his family and grandchildren. His son-in-law, Pat Magee, described him as “respected and loved” and said the family is angry at how his retirement had been callously cut short.

He said the problem of “boy racers” had been escalating in the village over the past three to four years.

“We have a history on this road of young fellows racing,” he said. “What can we do?

“Obviously a 30mph sign would be a help in the village, but a 30mph sign won’t stop boy racers. I didn’t realise it was a 60mph zone. Without speed limits or restrictions I am led to believe that the national speed limit applies.

“There was more speed involved [in this accident] than 50, 60mph, it was considerable. It hit my own vehicle and sent it 43 feet down the road.

“It would have been a lot worse if it had been 10 minutes before when we were bringing 160 odd cows in, It would have been a massacre.”

Mr. Magee continued: “The law on young fellows and people speeding needs to change, especially when it leads to death.

“They should have had to visit the morgue, they should have had to see the body, the carnage, the state of the man they left, such multiple injuries. If they saw that, would that change the way they look on life?

I think they should be made to meet their victims and their victims families.”

Among his other suggestions are physical restrictions on ‘R’ drivers’ cars to prevent them speeding.

“If they can do it on lorries working for companies there should be some sort of restrictions placed on these cars by law,” he said.

Mr. Magee said the problems associated with young drivers were “part ignorance, lack of experience and arrogance” and that police needed better deterrents to work with.

“Nobody should have to go through that,” he said. “It was not a pretty sight to see your father-in-law trapped under a car through speeding and selfishness.

“Somebody needs to get a grip or it will just be the latest of a long line of stories, you will be reporting on someone else. There needs to be better education of people doing the driving test, how to have some respect for the people on the road.”

Painting an affectionate picture of his father-in-law, Mr. Magee said the former foreman, who worked in cable ducting and later repaired lawnmowers, had worked hard all his life and always liked to see a job well done.

“He was a respected and loved man who came to this area to retire beside his only daughter,” he said.

“He was a very quiet man, he did not say much, but he was a bit of a wind-up artist who loved to play practical jokes. He was definitely a family man, a man who saw things needed done and would get on and get them done.

“He worked hard for everything he had. He just loved things being done right.

“Taking him back to Tyrone was always going to be a long drive. All along the Derrycrin Road, Patrick’s home, every single family stood at their gateway and bowed their heads or blessed themselves. I have been to a number of funerals and I have never seen that.”

Regarding improvements needed on Ballyhornan roads, Mr. Magee says he will continue to fight for footpaths, pointing out that he is among a number of landowners who have already a indicated willingness to give over part of their land for this purpose.

“I will be trying for something,” he said. “I have been trying to do something.

“It can only help but it is never going to bring Paddy back.”

Mr. Wilkinson is survived by his wife Bernie and daughter Pauline.

Two men aged 19 and 20 were arrested in connection with the accident and have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Police investigating the collision are keen to hear from witnesses and can be contacted at the Collision Investigation Unit on 101.

A spokeswoman for Roads Service said: “As a police investigation is ongoing into the tragic fatal accident it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. The PSNI will however advise us if they have any concerns about road safety in this area.”