Town rocked by two road deaths in just one week

Jason Baxter from Broughshane died last Thursday afternoon following a road crash in Glenarm. The 21-year-old father-of-one was driving a white coloured Peugeot 405 along the Straidkilly Road at around 3.30pm when the accident took place.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

A passenger who was in the car was taken to Antrim Area Hospital for treatment.

Jason was buried at Buckna Cemetery on Sunday afternoon following a funeral service in Buckna Presbyterian Church.

The PSNI have urged anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed the collision to contact police at Larne on 0845 600 8000.

The accident came just four days after Russell Cairns, 32, from Ballymena was killed when his motorbike was in collision with a tractor on the Woodtown Road in the town.

The father-of-three was buried at Cullybackey New Cemetery on Friday following a funeral at his home.

A thanksgiving service for Russell’s life was held Green Pastures Church in Galgorm where he had worked.

Ballymena Mayor Audrey Wales MBE said she was extremely sad to hear of a second tragic death in the town within a week.

She said: “I was deeply saddened to hear that a second young person from the borough had lost his life in yet another tragic accident.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends also with the family and friends of the injured passenger.”

According to PSNI statistics, 38 people have died so far this year in road crashes, significantly more than the figure of 26 which had occurred by this time last year,

Last month was the deadliest with seven road deaths.