Boyfriend 'shock' at crash death

Two people were killed in the crash

The boyfriend of a woman killed in a car crash in County Antrim has said he is numb with shock.

Laura Cahoon, 23, from Cullybackey died in the accident on the Ballybogey Road near Portrush at 0215 GMT on Thursday.

Her friend Simon Walkow, 25, originally from Poland, also died in the crash. Laura's boyfriend Stephen Macartney said the news was devastating.

In a separate incident, a 69-year-old woman has died following a road crash near Newtownstewart in County Tyrone.

The accident, on the town's by-pass, involved three cars and happened at about 1700 GMT on Thursday.

A man and three women have also been taken to hospital and it is thought the man is in a critical condition.

'Trapped inside'

After the Portrush accident, Stephen Macartney said: "Everybody is just numb. We can't believe she is not here. Laura was fun and the life of the party."

Three other people in the same car were injured. One is critically ill, the two others were seriously injured.

The driver of the other car was also taken to hospital. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The crash happened about two miles from the Royal Court Hotel in Portrush. The road there will remain closed for some time, police said.

Fire service station commander Charlie McAuley said both cars had to be cut apart to free three people who were trapped inside.

Both Ms Cahoon and Mr Walkow worked at the Galgorm Manor hotel outside Ballymena.

Gillies bar at the hotel has been closed as a mark of respect.

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash to contact them.

Twenty-nine people have now been killed on Northern Ireland's roads this year.