Sadness as young care worker Caoimhe O’Brien who died last night in car crash in Derry
TRIBUTES have been paid to the young care worker who tragically lost her life in a road crash in Derry last night.
Caoimhe O’Brien, who was in her 20s, died after a single car crash on the A5 Victoria Road between Derry and Strabane
She was from the Douglas Bridge area of Tyrone.
Local SDLP MLA Daniel Crossan described her as “popular” and “full of life”.
He said: “One life lost or any life lost is too many.
“For a community like Strabane and West Tyrone where she’d be widely known, there’ll be a lot of people today devastated by the news.
“I think it hits hard at younger people who lose a friend because it’s never ever expected. It rings very hard for those of us who know that young person, for the parents, for the family and friends and for the community from which she directly comes.
“They will be absolutely devastated, it isn’t a large area – it’s one where almost everyone knows everybody and everything about everybody.
“So this will have a rippling effect that will cause considerable upset to those who know Caoimhe and her wider family circle.
“Today my thoughts and prayers are with her parents, her wider family and the community from which she comes from.
The remains of the Ford Focus car are taken away from the crash scene today. PIC: NORTH WEST NEWSPIX
“It’s a very very sad day indeed.”
Friends have also taken to social media to pay tribute to Caoimhe.
One said: “Can’t believe what am waking up too hear one of my friends has just passed away.
“Caoimhe O’Brien you were the nicest person I’ve ever met, we had the best of memories together.”
Another added: “You have the absolute heart of gold and I will cherish all our memories together forever!
Police received the report of the crash at around 11.50 pm.
It’s understood the tragic accident happened near the junction of Lisdivin Road off the A5 Victoria Road.
The road was closed until this morning but has since re-opened.
Mr McCrossan also said that the tragic death will focus minds on a “dangerous road” which has been the subject of upgrade talks.
He added: “Over the space of the summer months and leading into September and October we’ve learned of numerous young lives being taken unnecessarily on dangerous roads.
“The A5 from one stretch at the far end of Strabane right through to the other end of Omagh by all accounts is a dangerous road.
“It has continually been classed as a dangerous road.
“The sooner we have the project developed for there the better.”
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