Older brothers die in a road accident in Co Antrim

Two older brothers have died in a road accident in Co Antrim.

Samuel Holmes (75) and Desmond Holmes (82) from the Ballymoney area died as a result of the incident on Friday afternoon.

Police said the car they were traveling in collided with a lorry on Frosses Road near Ballymoney.

PSNI roads inspector Cherith Adair said police received reports of the collision at around 1.10pm.

“Officers and colleagues from other rescue services arrived at the scene, but unfortunately the car driver died on the spot, and the passenger died shortly later in hospital,” she said.

“Officers from the investigation unit investigating the circumstances of the collision are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with CCTV, dash cam or other material that could assist with the investigation to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 757 25 ./10/24.”

North Antrim MP Jim Allister expressed his sadness and called for action to make roads safer.

“Two more deaths on the A26 add to the tragic toll on this road,” he said.

“I want to express my condolences on behalf of myself and the wider community to the families of the two elderly men(s) who died.

“Once again, great sadness has been caused by the loss of life on this section of road adjacent to Ballymoney.

“While some other junctions in Ballymoney with the A26 are managed by roundabouts, which are generally safer, the junction at which this accident occurred is a T-junction. In my opinion there is a strong case for converting the Ballymena Road junction into a roundabout.”