Man held over fatal road crash

A man was arrested today over a horrific road crash which killed a teenager and left another victim fighting for his life.

The 23-year-old was held on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death and grievous bodily harm following the collision in Co Fermanagh.

A youth aged 17 was fatally injured, while six others where hurt, in the three vehicle accident near Brookeborough on Monday afternoon.

The teenager is believed to have been travelling in a four-wheel drive which collided with a lorry and a car.

Police confirmed a 20-year-old man was critically injured in the crash.

Five others, including a seven-year-old boy and a girl aged 10, were also taken to hospital. Their conditions were not thought to be life-threatening.

The crash, on the A4 to Enniskillen, brought the death toll on Northern Ireland’s roads to 70 so far this year.

As she offered her condolences over the latest accident, which happened close to her Fermanagh home, Environment Minister Arlene Foster pledged to continue her campaign to end the carnage.

She said: “My thoughts are with everyone who was involved in this horrific crash near my own home yesterday.

“I stated from my first day in this job that my priority is every single death and serious injury on our roads in Northern Ireland.

“I am committed to doing all I can to reduce carnage on our roads. That is a serious responsibility and I plan to tackle it in a serious and responsible manner.”

Ms Foster also stressed the 2006 figures for road deaths and injuries represented a small but continuing downward trend.

But she added: “However, this will be no comfort to families and communities traumatised by the loss of loved ones and crashes like yesterday’s.

“I will keep working to prevent others going through this pain.”