Four dead in two separate County Tyrone crashes

Four people have died and five others were injured in two separate road crashes in Co Tyrone.

Police confirmed on Tuesday evening, the names of two of the three people who died.

They were Patrick Rogers of Cookstown and Mary Duffy from Dungannon.

26-year old Mr Rogers and his 52-year old mother-in-law were travelling in a red Nissan x Trail which was in collision with another vehicle in the Dungannon Road area.

A third person, a woman aged 80 also died in the collision. She was the driver of a silver Volkswagen Golf.

Mr Rogers’ wife and their four children, who were passengers in the Nissan X-Trail, were injured in the collision and remain in hospital today, their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

One woman, in her 40s, died after a one-vehicle crash on the M1 near Dungannon on Monday afternoon.

PSNI Sergeant Broderick from the Roads Policing Unit said police received a report just before 1.30pm that a blue Mercedes car had left the eastbound carriageway of the motorway, near the Stangmore junction.

"Emergency services attended but the woman sadly died later in hospital as a result of her injuries," he said.

Three people died when two vehicles collided in the Dungannon Road area of Cookstown shortly after 3.30pm.

"The drivers of the vehicles, a woman in her 80s and a man in his 20s, tragically died as a result of the collision along with a woman in her 50s who was a passenger in one of the vehicles," PSNI Chief Superintendent Gerard Pollock said.

Four children and a woman in her 20s were injured in the incident and were taken to hospital.

Sinn Fein MLA Michelle O'Neill said it was "deeply tragic" to learn of the deaths.

"I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the families of those tragically killed and every best wish to those injured for a full and speedy recovery," she said.

SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said the community is "devastated".

"This is the worst possible news any family could receive but particularly at this time of year," he said.

"My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected at this incredibly difficult time."

Police have appealed for anyone with information about either incident to contact them on 101.