Three die on local roads

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Three people have died in Ards and mid-Down in a tragic week of accidents on local roads.

Last Friday, a pension age woman died after a car crash on the main dual carriageway between Dundonald and Newtownards.

On Tuesday, two men died following a traffic collision involving a work van and a car outside Carryduff.

80 year old Marie Julia McCullough, of Lower Braniel Road, Belfast, was driving her car which collided with another at Quarry Corner on the Kemp Stones Road, at around 11.20am.

Four people were in the other car, and were taken to the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, after the crash. Three were discharged last Friday, with the other detained overnight for observation.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision.

A 28 year old passenger in a Ford Transit van died at the scene after a collision with a Lexus car at around 8.15am on Tuesday at Ballynahinch Road, Carryduff. The family of the victim asked that his name be withheld from the media.

51 year old Paddy Bailie, from Kircubbin, died later that day from injuries related to the collision. He was the driver of the van.

Four other men remain in hospital, one of whom is described as critical.

Another man is said to be in a stable condition and the other two have injuries, which are not believed to be serious.

A fire started after the collision. Two off-duty firemen who were first on the scene of the crash rescued people from the burning van.

The Ambulance Service said it was 'a major collision'. They sent five crews, assisted by rapid response paramedics and a doctor.

An Ambulance Service spokesperson said the treatment of the patients at the scene was made more difficult by the fire. Those in the van suffered burns, together with their other injuries.

The Fire Service extinguished a second fire that developed after the initial accident.

Station Commander Neil McGrath said: "Two off-duty firef-ighters travelling on the road on their way to work were the first people on the scene.

"Watch Commander Stephen Brown, from Whitla Fire Station, was able to assist three people from the burning van. He was wearing motorbike protective gear, so was also able to act as a barrier between the heat of the fire and the casualty in the car. Without his actions we could have been looking at an even more tragic incident.

"Firefighter Paul Cassidy, of Cadogan Fire Station, was also on the scene and was able to assist the Ambulance Service and the initial attending fire crews."

Strangford MLA Kieran McCarthy expressed 'sadness and shock at the untimely death of Mr Bailie'.

He said: "The community has been devastated by the news about this very popular man. Paddy was born and raised in the Kircubbin area, a man of a very friendly and outgoing nature, who will missed by all who knew him.

"He and his family had recently moved to their new bungalow in the country, after working hard to complete their new home. On behalf of the whole community, I offer my sympathy to Paddys family."

Anyone who witnessed either collision is urged to contact police on 0845 600 8000.