Man hurt in Tyrone car blast

A man was injured after a reported explosion involving a car in the North, police said tonight.

The victim was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries following the blast in Spamount village, Castlederg, Co Tyrone.

A police spokeswoman said: “One car is involved and a man has been injured.”

The village has been closed and army technical officers called. Motorists were advised to avoid the area.

The incident happened just before 8.40pm. Firefighters were also called.

Police said the area had been cordoned off and it was expected that forensic searches would be carried out.

Earlier, the main motorway from Belfast was closed a few miles from the city centre after a hoax security alert.

Although police have not identified those responsible for the blast, dissident republicans opposed to the peace process in the North have operated in the West Tyrone area in the past.