Local roads claim two more lives
Thursday, 7 August 2008
THE community of Cookstown was in mourning this week after local roads claimed another life this weekend.
The tragic death of man Edward Lyttle has taken the toll of road deaths in Northern Ireland to 67.
Mr Lyttle, 41, and father of four from Moneymore Road, was struck by a van in the early hours of Sunday morning as he walked home. Anyone who witnessed the accident has been urged to contact the PSNI.
This unfortunate death came just 24 hours after an accident which claimed the life of a County Fermanagh man.
Kevin Peter Chesnie, 17, from Newtownbutler died in an early morning crash near his hometown. The accident happened on Saturday around 1 am on the Clones Road when his Peugeot 306 car left the road, another passenger in the car escaped with only minor injuries.
All of this comes at a time when road deaths are very much in the public eye. Last Thursday Draperstown boy Padraig Donnelly, 14, died from injuries he sustained a week earlier in an accident. The teenager had been driving his quad bike when he was involved in a collision with a car, two other teenagers and the driver of the car sustained non-life threatening injuries.
Politicians have expressed sadness at recent deaths and while their sympathy goes out to the families and friends affected they have also voiced concern about the high rate of road deaths on Northern Roads.
Mid Ulster DUP MLA Ian McCrea spoke about his concerns following the death of Mr Lyttle.
Mr McCrea said "I am very saddened to hear of the death of Mr Lyttle and I can assure his family that they have my deepest sympathy.
“As a member of the Environment Committee at Stormont I am working together with my colleagues in our determination to reduce the number of road deaths throughout the province. However I am particularly concerned with the number of recent road deaths in the Mid Ulster area and I intend to raise this at my first opportunity with the Environment Minister and also at the next meeting of the Environment Committee in an effort to make the roads of this constituency safer place both for drivers and pedestrians.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to call upon motorists to maintain awareness whilst driving and to call upon anyone who may have any information relating to this tragic accident to bring it to the immediate attention of the police."
These deaths occurred in the weekend after Environment minister Sammy Wilson took the time to urge all road users to exercise caution this summer following recent tragic accidents.
Speaking on Friday, before the latest accidents, the Minister said, "Road deaths are terrible tragedies for the families and friends of those killed and my thoughts are with them at this time.
“So far this year 65 people have died as a result of road traffic collisions - 17 during the month of July alone. These are not just numbers, these are peoples lives.
“It is particularly disappointing compared with last year, when the total number killed at this time sat at 63.
“Remember, alcohol and speed remain two of the main causes of fatal and serious injury collisions in Northern Ireland.
“I would urge everyone to make sure that the remainder of the summer holiday period is one we remember for fun and enjoyment and not for death and injury on our roads.
“Remember never ever drink and drive, slow down, pay attention and always wear your seat belt," he said.
Mr Wilson was unable to know that by the end of the weekend the death toll would have risen to 67.
