Child among seven injured during multiple crash in north Belfast
Horror collision involved stolen car
Last updated 4th Jul 2018
A child and six others have been taken to hospital after a six-vehicle collision on the Crumlin Road close to the Ardoyne shops.
One man is described as being in a critical condition, two men and a woman are stable, while a woman and child have been discharged.
The incident happened just before 7 yesterday (Tuesday) evening.
One of the cars involved - a black Audi A1 - had been stolen from Thirlmere Gardens in North Belfast during the early hours of Sunday 1 July.
The crash resulted in damaged walls of nearby houses with flying debris breaking an upstairs window in one of the homes (see below).
Superintendent Muir Clark said:
“The matter has been referred to the Police Ombudsman’s Office who are currently investigating the circumstances leading up to the collision therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further pending the outcome of that investigation."
SDLP Councillor Paul McCusker has said his thoughts and prayers go to all those caught up in the crash.
Speaking from the scene Mr McCusker said:
"The scenes from the RTA can't be described as anything other than carnage.
"I would ask everyone to be patient while the road remains closed and to give the emergency services space to do their job.
"It would seem that reckless death drivers have again brought destruction and pain on innocent road users going about their daily routine."
Malachai O Hara from the Green Party also expressed his horror at the incident.
"This is a shocking and horrific incident," he said.
"We know that one person is dead and several others injured.
"One family has been plunged into grief and many others will be learning that their loved one was caught up in this.
"There are early indications that death drivers were involved in the collision.
"I'd urge anyone who saw what happened or vehicles in the area beforehand to contact police as soon as possible."
The Crumlin Road which was closed for a number of hours overnight has since reopened.