ROAD SMASH
Three dead and four injured after horror crash in Co Tyrone as police probe and community ‘broken’ by ‘devastating’ news
THREE people have died and four have been injured following a crash in Co Tyrone.
Police closed the road in both directions this morning after the horror collision, which local politicians say had left the community "broken".
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It's understood that the crash happened early this morning, with a number of ambulances and emergency services attending the scene.
PSNI have confirmed that three people have died.
Cops said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland can confirm that three people have sadly died following a road traffic collision on the Tullyvar Road area of Aughnacloy this morning, Thursday 27 April."
Seargent Harrison from the Collision Investigation Unit added: "Officers are in attendance at the scene and an investigation has commenced. The road remains closed at this stage.
"Four casualties have been taken to hospital. An update will follow in due course."
Former First Minister Arlene Foster earlier said an "enormous tragedy" is unfolding.
Ms Foster said: "An enormous tragedy is unfolding in south Tyrone this morning. My prayers are with all those involved including our emergency services."
Daniel McCrossan, MLA for West Tyrone said the area is "broken" after the devastating news.
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He said: "Many hearts across our town and wider area will be broken and sore today by the devastating news which has hit our community very hard.
"There are no words on this earth for a such a painful and personal loss and I know it will be felt most acutely by the many affected and by our entire local community.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTING FAMILIES
"Please keep all those involved in this accident and their dear loved ones in your prayers and in your thoughts now and in the difficult days and weeks ahead.
"Our community will come together to support the families in every possible way during this time."
Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, who was at the scene, appealed to the public to cooperate with emergency services.
He said: "I am at the scene of a serious road collision on the A5 outside Authnacloy this morning.
"I would ask people to cooperate with emergency services as they remain at the scene.
"My thoughts are with all involved this morning.
"The emergency services are currently working at the scene of this collision to support all those impacted.
"There will be disruption in the local area as a result of this tragedy and I would urge motorists and residents to cooperate with the emergency services".
'HEARTBREAKING'
West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley said the news was "heartbreaking."
She said: "More heartbreaking news on the A5. My thoughts are with all involved this morning in the very serious road collision near Aughnacloy."
She later added: "The scale of this tragedy has stunned the entire community."
Aghaloo and Carnteel parish priest Father Cathal Deveney told the BBC: "It doesn't even bear thinking about, the shock of it - everyone's taken aback.
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"Every time there is an accident there is always concern."
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