Last week's fatal crash near the Tyrone/Derry border marked a tragic milestone for the A5 road.

Last week’s fatal crash near the Tyrone/Derry border marked a tragic milestone for the A5 road.

The single car collision which claimed the life of 23-year-old Caoimhé O’Brien was the 30th death on the road in the past decade.

During the recent public inquiry hearing in Omagh, road chiefs claimed that the new A5 dual carriageway will save some 22 lives over 60 years.


But since April 15, 2006, the 53 mile stretch of the A5 between Aughnacloy and Derry has claimed 30 lives.

Recent research by the Ulster Herald has revealed how the new A4 dual carriageway has dramatically slashed the number of road crashes on that once notorious route.

Almost half the deaths (14) on the A5 over the last decade occurred on the treacherous 17 mile Strabane to Omagh section, almost one death for every mile of road.

Eight people have died between Omagh and Ballygawley, with five people losing their lives on the Strabane to Derry stretch.

Three have died on the short four mile section between Ballygawley and Aughnacloy.

The deadliest year on the A5 over the past decade was 2007, when five people died in separate tragedies.

However the past 18 months has seen a spike in fatal incidents. Four people died during 2015, while in 2016, three people have already been killed on the A5: Shane Rafferty (41) from Galbally, who died on the Tullyvar Road in August; Neil McAleer (24) who died on the Great Northern Road in September; and last week, 23-year-old Caoimhé O’Brien, killed on the Victoria Road.


Interactive map:



Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.

Any time | Any place | Anywhere SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007

(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)

MLA embroiled in war of words with A5 opponents The chairman of the Alternative A5 Alliance (AA5A) has said he has no interest in meeting with West Tyrone...