Road death shocks village
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Police accident investigators at the scene of the tragic accident on the Ballykelly Road, Limavady on Saturday morning.
ASSISTANT Chief Constable of the PSNI Roy Toner has called on drivers in the province to use caution on the roads as the days shorten through the winter.
The call comes after a devastating weekend on Northern Ireland's roads which saw the deaths of seven people including four PSNI officers, a County Antrim man, A woman in Newry, and a young man from Eglinton who died on the Ballykelly road on Friday night.
The man, named locally as 20-year-old Gerard Campbell, died at the scene after being involved in a two-car crash at around 10:30pm, the driver of the other vehicle was taken to hospital.
Scores of tributes to Gerard have flooded onto his Bebo social networking page, most portraying the shock of losing the young man who was a very popular character in his hometown.
Gerard, a mechanic by trade worked for Bob Mullan Motors in Ballykelly, who closed their offices on Tuesday morning as a mark of respect.
Mr. Campbell's funeral took place yesterday (Tuesday November 25) at noon at Star of the Sea, Faughanvale.
UUC Councillor Leslie Cubitt said the community was devastated by the loss of another young life on the roads. He said: "It's such a tragedy, this was a popular young man who will be sorely missed. It's always devastating for loved ones to lose someone tragically, but it is especially tragic when it's a young life and when it's this close to Christmas. All our thoughts are with the family circle and loved ones suffering at this very sad time.
“I would echo the calls for extra caution to be taken on the roads as conditions worsen at this time of the year."
Commenting on the past weekend's fatal road traffic collisions, Assistant Chief Constable Roy Toner commented: "The number of deaths on our roads this weekend is tragic and we extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the three people who have lost their lives. Words will never fully express the hurt and anguish of the families who have been left bereaved following these road traffic collisions
“Unfortunately tragedies like this only reinforce the message that nobody is indestructible. That is why every road user must take more responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.
“Our message to drivers and riders is very simple. We all have a role to play in preventing deaths and injuries on our roads. If you speed, take drink or drugs and drive, fail to wear your seatbelt, drive carelessly or dangerously, you run the real risk of killing or seriously injuring yourself, your passengers or some other innocent road user.
“We do not want to have to visit another family with the difficult task of telling them that a loved one won't be coming home."
The SDLP councillor for the Ballykelly area, Michael Carten has extended his deepest sympathy to the family of the latest road traffic victim in the village.
He said: "The death of Gerard Campbell has caused great shock in the village and surrounding district. Gerard was popular and his passing is a tragedy for everyone who knew him.
“At times like this it is very important to give support to the bereaved family. Coming as it did in one of the worst weekends of road traffic collisions not just in the North but on the Island of Ireland it is essential that government concentrates on the causes of road traffic collisions and takes appropriate action to reduce the carnage on our roads.
Councillor Carten's Assembly Colleague, John Dallat who has also offered his condolences, has called for the road maintenance budget to be restored.
He said: "While I do not wish to speculate on the causes of any individual road death I believe that the savage cutbacks on road maintenance may be contributing to the increase in fatalities. Obviously with poor braking surfaces and roads often waterlogged it is conceivable that road traffic collisions are more severe when, unfortunately, they occur."
