Two of the three people killed in the horror crash in Co Tyrone on St Stephen's Day have been named by police in Northern Ireland.
Father-of-four Patrick Rogers, who was from the Cookstown area, was the driver of one of two vehicles involved in the collision on Monday afternoon.
The other victim was Mr Rogers’ mother-in-law, Mary Duffy, from Dungannon. They died following the crash on a stretch of the A29 Dungannon Road, close to Cookstown.
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Mr Rogers, the 26-year-old driver, and Mrs Duffy, 52, were travelling in a red Nissan X-Trail, which was in collision with another vehicle shortly before 3.30pm.
A third person, a woman aged 80 also died in the collision. She was the driver of a silver Volkswagen Golf and has not yet been officially named by police.
Mr Rogers’ wife and their four children, who were passengers in the Nissan X-Trail, were injured in the collision and remain in hospital but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Police along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, attended the scene on Monday afternoon.
The NIAS said it sent two rapid response paramedics, four emergency crews and one non-emergency crew. The air ambulance team was also called out.
"Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, four patients were taken to Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and another patient was taken by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital," a NIAS spokesman said
One local resident, who lives close to the scene, reported hearing "an almighty bang" while he was watching television at around 3.30pm and looked out the window to see that the two vehicles had collided.
Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill expressed her deepest sympathies to the families of those killed in her Mid Ulster constituency.
"It is deeply tragic news to learn that three adults have been killed and a woman and four children injured as a result of this terrible road traffic collision in Co Tyrone," she said.
"I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the families of those tragically killed and every best wish to those injured for a full and speedy recovery."
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson tweeted: "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."
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said the local community is devastated following news of the fatal collision.
"This is the worst possible news any family could receive but particularly at this time of year. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected at this incredibly difficult time," he added.
PSNI Superintendent Stephen Murray, 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.
“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."
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