Nine involved in serious three-car crash near Fintona as police probe cause
ONE person was airlifted to hospital and six others were transferred into the care of paramedics after a serious three-car collision
ONE person was airlifted to hospital and six others were transferred into the care of paramedics after a serious three-car collision involving nine people on the Tattymoyle Road outside Fintona on Sunday afternoon.
The major incident, which occurred amid stormy and windy conditions following the after-effects of Storm Boelo, prompted a significant emergency services response, with firefighters using specialist rescue equipment to free one casualty before they were airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Two people were taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries following the collision, which happened at approximately 2pm on Sunday, October 25. The extent of their injuries has not been confirmed.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed that firefighters were called to the scene at 2.02pm after receiving reports of a three-vehicle road traffic collision involving nine people on the Tattymoyle Road, in the Trillick and Fintona area.
Two fire appliances from Omagh Fire Station and a further appliance from Fintona Fire Station attended the incident.
Firefighters used specialist rescue equipment to rescue one casualty, who was subsequently airlifted to hospital by Air Ambulance NI. A further six casualties were transferred into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS).
Fire crews left the scene at 3.30pm.
The crash led to the closure of the Tattymoyle Road for a period while emergency services dealt with the incident, with diversions put in place at Ashmore Road, Corrashesk Road and Rahony Road.
The difficult weather conditions added to concerns on the roads, with the Departm ent for Infrastructure (DfI)revealing that around 470 incidents had been reported to the department during the period of unsettled weather.
A DfI spokesperson said: “This has mainly included fallen trees and branches and surface water build-up on roads. Staff worked throughout the day to respond to incidents.”
The PSNI confirmed on Tuesday that enquiries were continuing to establish the cause of the serious collision.
Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses and are urging anyone who witnessed the crash, or who may have dash-cam or other footage that could assist the investigation, to come forward.
West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley expressed her concern for those involved, saying: “My thoughts are with everyone involved in the three-car collision outside Fintona.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 994 25/10/26.
Information can also be submitted through the PSNI’s online witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals.
Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.
The three vehicle collision on the Tattymoyle Road was attended to by Air Ambulance NI alongside fire crews, paramedics and police. SU4244CD26