FOUR POLICEMEN died early yesterday morning following a single-vehicle crash in Co Down in a weekend that saw a total of seven fatalities on the roads in Northern Ireland.
The deaths of the four PSNI officers caused shock and deep sadness in the North. Prayers for the men and their families were said in Protestant and Catholics churches in Co Down yesterday.
Local DUP Assembly member Jim Wells said the men came from both sides of the community in the Mourne area.
The accident happened shortly before 4am yesterday when the officers were responding to a call for assistance. The 4X4 Shogun vehicle crashed on the shore road between Warrenpoint and Kilkeel. The vehicle struck a wall and burst into flames, it is understood. Last night police appeared certain that there was no terrorist involvement in the deaths.
"There is no indication that the deaths were terrorist-related. Police are treating the deaths as a tragic accident," said a PSNI spokeswoman.
Two of the men are understood to have children. The PSNI said the families of the dead men have appealed for privacy. In all seven people died in road accidents in the North at the weekend.
A woman died in a three-car collision on the Forkhill Road near Newry on Friday night. Also on Friday night a man died in an incident involving two vehicles on the Ballykelly Road, near Limavady, Co Derry. A pedestrian died when he was knocked down on the Connor Road in Parkgate village near Templepatrick, Co Antrim, on Friday evening.
PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde visited the scene of the crash in which four of his officers died. "This is an extremely sad day for the family, friends and those who served with the police officers who lost their lives in this tragic accident," he said. "These four officers died serving this community and they will be deeply missed."
Mr Wells said it was a mystery what caused the "awful tragedy". He understood that the wife of one of the men recently gave birth. "This is particularly poignant coming up to Christmas. This is a terribly dark day for the people of south Down," he said.
DUP First Minister Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness spoke of their horror at the loss of life on the roads. Mr McGuinness said: "This has been a tragic weekend on our roads. I would call on all motorists to exercise caution...I would like to pass on my condolences to all the victims' families at this very difficult time."
While the PSNI has not officially named the four officers, news agency PA last night reported they were James Magee and Kevin Gorman, both in their 20s and full-time members of the service, and Declan Greene and Kenneth Irvine part-time members in their 30s.
