Tributes have flooded in for a dad-of-four who was among four people killed and five injured after two separate horror crashes in Northern Ireland on St Stephen’s Day.
Patrick Rogers, 26, who was driving a red Nissan X-Trail, died following a collision on the Dungannon Road near Cookstown in Tyrone which also claimed the lives of his 52-year-old mother-in-law Mary Duffy and 80-year-old Jennifer Acheson who was travelling in the other car.
Patrick’s wife Shannon and their young children were rushed to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital via Air Ambulance after sustaining injuries in the smash but their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
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While pensioner Jennifer, who was from a well-known family in Tyrone, was behind the wheel of a silver Volkswagen Golf.
It is understood that both vehicles collided head-on shortly before 3:30 pm on Monday.
Paying tribute, one pal said that Patrick was “one of the best, funniest lads ever”.
He called him a “true gentleman” and said, “some good memories I won’t ever forget.”
A large section of the Dungannon Road was closed on Monday night while forensic investigators carried out a technical examination of the scene.
Police in Northern Ireland has urged anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage or any other relevant information to contact them.
Superintendent Stephen Murray, who is the District Commander for Mid Ulster, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the families of the people who lost their lives on our roads.
“Any loss of life is a cause of great sadness and it feels particularly tragic at Christmas.
“I’d also like to commend members of the public who provided assistance at the scene of this collision and our officers and other emergency services for their caring and professional approach in these very tragic circumstances.”
He added: “An investigation led by specialist investigators from the Collision Investigation Unit has commenced and I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time who may have witnessed the collision or who has dash-cam footage or any other information to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 957 of 26/12/22."
It comes as Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill paid tribute to those killed and wished those who were injured a full recovery.
She said: “My heartfelt sympathies to the families of those tragically killed and every best wish to those injured for a full recovery."
While DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson added: “Our thoughts & prayers are with all involved in this tragic incident and the families & communities impacted by such a devastating loss.
“We also think of the emergency services who attended the scene and the health service staff caring for those injured.”
In a separate crash in Tyrone on St Stephen's Day, a mum-of-two who was described as having “the biggest heart of gold” was also killed.
Imelda Quinn, who worked as a nurse at the Craigavon Area Hospital, died after her blue Mercedes car left the road between the Stangmore and Tamnamore roundabouts on the M1 motorway at 1.30pm.
According to reports, she had swapped shifts with a nursing colleague which was why she was driving.
The mum was initially rushed by ambulance to hospital but passed away a short time later.
A death notice described her as a “deeply loved wife of Gavin, most cherished mother to Nina and Norah.”
While a pal said: “Imelda was one of a kind with the biggest heart of gold and was always on the end of the phone if I needed her no matter what… I will miss you dearly Imelda.”
Another added: “Terrible news tonight about poor Imelda. When she worked in South Tyrone Hospital I chatted to her regularly.
“A lovely kind, warm friendly girl. Just devastated for her hubby, her wee girls, her Mum, Dad, Angela, Fergal, and Cormac. RIP Imelda.”
And SDLP MLA for Mid-Ulster Patsy McGlone told RTE News: “What do you say, what can you say?
“Just speaking to people last night and indeed again in touch with people again this morning, the entire community is in shock.
“Within 12 miles of each other there are two awful tragedies at Christmastime, and Christmas will never, ever be the same again for those families.”
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