‘Incomprehensible sorrow’ after tragic death of Ballykinlar man

‘Incomprehensible sorrow’ after tragic death of Ballykinlar man

5 September 2018

THE Ballykinlar father who lost his life in a motorcycle crash on Sunday has been described as a “true gent”.

The community in Ballykinlar and nearby Tyrella has been plunged into mourning following the death of popular father-of-four Darren Hogg.

Mr Hogg, who was 45, died after his motorcycle collided with a hire coach on the Portaferry Road, Newtownards, at around 2.45pm.

Emergency services, including the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance Service, went to his aid, but Mr Hogg reportedly died at the scene.

Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward with information or dashcam video of the crash which happened near Finlay’s Road.

In a separate incident another man was pulled to safety out from a burning car after an accident further along the road near Greyabbey on Saturday morning.

A former student of St Colman’s High School, Ballynahinch, Mr Hogg lived with his family in Marian Park.

His funeral will take place today from his home to St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Church, Ballykinlar, for 2pm with interment at the adjoining cemetery.

From a well-known and respected family, the former St Colman’s High School student played for Ballykinlar GAC in his younger days.

He was known to have loved playing golf and pool in his leisure time. He and his wife, Patricia, were active members of Murlough Athletics Club and were keen runners.

Murlough AC chairman Paul Madden paid tribute to Mr Hogg on Facebook and spoke of the members’ “incomprehensible sorrow”.

He continued: “Words cannot describe our total shock and devastation at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Patricia, her family, friends and everyone who knew Darren.”

Friends also took to social media to pay their respects to Mr Hogg, the father of Luke, Travis, Clarissa and the late baby Matthew.

Several people referred to him as a “true gent”, with one posting, “True gent taken too soon”.

Another posted: “Darren you were one of bk’s greatest!! My hearts breaking for ur [sic] loved ones. I hope they find the strength to get through the hardest days and weeks ahead.”

Another friend wrote: “I played football with Darren, he was a great sportsman, a great laugh and an over all great man to know.”

Strangford MP Jim Shannon expressed his deep condolences to Mr Hogg’s family and praised the local effort to save the other people involved in the earlier accident.

“My sincere sympathy goes out to the family of this man and those involved in the accident,” he remarked.

Mr Shannon said he wrote to the Department for Infrastructure to highlight the need to get motorists to slow down approaching the corners at Mount Stewart on the Portaferry Road.

“I will again be calling on the department to review this stretch of road to ascertain what further can be done to improve safety,” he added.

South Down MP Chris Hazzard also extended his condolences to Mr Hogg’s family.

The Sinn Fein man said: “This is a heartbreaking time for this man’s family and the wider community.

“My thoughts and the thoughts of everyone in South Down are with all the family and friends at this tough time.”

Former SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie spoke of the impact of Mr Hogg’s death would have on his immediate family.

“Death is never easy but when it is untimely and sudden, then it is more poignant and difficult for the immediate family,” said Ms Ritchie.

“I hope that God’s consolation will comfort them in the week and months to come and help them to come to terms with their sad loss.”

The chairman of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Mark Murnin, paid condolences to Mr Hogg’s family on behalf of the council at Monday night’s meeting. 

Mr Hogg is survived by his wife and children, parents James and Julie, sisters Laura, Lisa and Karen, and the wider family circle.