A man in his 30s has died after a road crash on the A5 between Omagh and Ballygawley on Monday night.
The 36-year-old man died as a result of a two-vehicle collision involving a white Audi and a Nissan Micra.
The crash took place in the Ballymacilroy section of the A5, which has now seen 58 deaths of those travelling on it since 2006.
The deceased male is understood to have been from the Co Donegal area, and was the driver of the Nissan car involved in the crash.
The three occupants of the Audi, understood to include a mother and young child, received medical treatment as a result of the crash with injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.
The Omagh Road had been closed as emergency services worked through the night at the scene of the collision, and later reopened on Tuesday morning.
A police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 10.15pm on Monday evening, 23rd February we received a report of a collision involving a white Audi A6 and silver Nissan Micra on the Omagh Road, A5.
“Officers responded to the collision alongside colleagues from other emergency services. Sadly, the driver of the Nissan Micra was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Medical treatment was provided to the three occupants of the Audi A6 who were then taken onward to hospital for treatment to injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
“The Omagh Road, between Ballygawley and Omagh which was closed in both directions as we conducted a forensic examination overnight and into this morning, has now fully re-opened.
“Our enquiries are continuing, and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have digital footage which could assist with our investigation, to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 1578 23/02/26.”
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said two people were taken to Craigavon Area Hospital by ambulance after initial treatment at the scene.
Emergency services first received a report of the crash shortly after 10pm on Monday. Three emergency ambulances, an ambulance officer and a rapid response paramedic were tasked to the scene.
The man’s death brings the total number of people killed on the roads across the north this month to 10.
That is equal to the highest number of road deaths in a single month recorded by the PSNI since the beginning of 2024.
Previously the deadliest month on our roads came in December 2024, when 10 people died as a result of road crashes.
The crash near Ballygawley brings to 58 the number of deaths on the A5 since the upgrade of the road to dual carriageway was first approved by the Stormont Executive in 2006.
The Department for Infrastructure is currently mounting an appeal to a successful legal challenge against the A5 Western Transport Corridor after a High Court judge ruled last year that the project was not compliant with Stormont climate change legislation.
Niall McKenna, chair of the A5 Enough is Enough campaign group, said there was “total despair” in the local community with the latest death on the road.
“Firstly, and most importantly, we would like to express our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the latest victim of the A5 road,” Mr McKenna said.
“This latest death is a tragic and harrowing and poignant reminder for all who enter Court in Belfast tomorrow for yet more legal proceedings, that this situation has life-or-death urgency.
Niall McKenna, chair of the Enough is Enough campaign group at Belfast High Court.
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
“The death toll on the A5 is utterly unacceptable. As another family now heartbreakingly mourn their loved-one, we hope and pray that the voices of the victims and their families resonate more loudly than the voices of opponents.”
Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley added: “My immediate thoughts are with his family and friends as they come to terms with this heart-breaking news. Our thoughts and prayers are also with those injured, and hope they make a full recovery.
“Yet again another family is left devastated by another fatal crash on this dangerous road. This is a sad reminder of the need to move forward and build the A5.
“I want to thank and pay tribute to the emergency services for all their efforts at the scene.”
Meanwhile, funeral details have been announced for two of the three victims of a triple road tragedy near Moy on Saturday night.
The funeral of 31-year-old father of four Conor Quinn from Derrylaughan will take place in St Brigid’s church in Brocagh on Wednesday morning at 11am.
23-year-old Laura Hoy-Henry will be buried at a service in Church of The Most Holy Trinity, Cookstown on Thursday.
Speaking to UTV on Monday, Ms Hoy-Henry’s family said news of her death had left them “numb”.
“She was our baby sister. How do you bury your baby sister?” said her sister, Rebecca Hoy.
Funeral details are yet to be announced for 48-year-old John Guy, the driver of the red BMW in which all three deceased were travelling, alongside another female passenger who was injured.