A TEENAGER has died in hospital just three days after being involved in a horror two-vehicle crash.
Daniel McCallister, from the Tandragee area, sadly passed away on Wednesday afternoon from injuries sustained in the collision.
The 18-year-old was involved in a crash between a blue Volkswagen Jetta and a blue Volkswagen Touran.
The vehicles both collided on the Cladymilltown Road in Markethill, Co Armagh on Sunday.
Emergency services and officers from the PSNI rushed to the scene of the collision shortly before 10:45pm and rushed both drivers of the cars to hospital.
The driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash is still in a critical condition and is currently fighting for his life in hospital.
There were no passengers in either of the vehicles involved in the crash.
Tragic Daniel Joseph McCallister has been remembered as the “dearly loved” son of William and Barbara, the “much-loved brother” of Sarah, Jack, Kathryn and Samuel, the dear brother-in-law of Adam, a “cherished grandson” of Jackie and Eileen and a “dear” uncle and nephew.
A notice online reads: “Lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his father, mother and his loving family.”
Markethill High School, which Daniel had attended before leaving in 2022, told how the crash has left the entire community in mourning.
Principal Colin Berry and vice principal Sarah Hargan said: “On behalf of the entire Markethill High School family, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the McCallister family following the loss of their dear son and brother, Daniel, who left us in 2022.
“The McCallister Family are extremely well known in this area and there is much sadness and shock within the local community.
“We will continue to keep Mr and Mrs McCallister, Sarah, Jack, Kathryn and Samuel (all past pupils of MHS) in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.”
Family and friends have been told that they are “welcome to call” at Daniel’s home on Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 9pm.
PROBE LAUNCHED
The teenager will be laid to rest on Sunday following a funeral service in St. John’s Parish Church, Mullabrack at 2.30pm.
This will be followed by a private committal in the adjoining churchyard.
Family flowers only have been requestion with donations, if desired to St. John’s Parish Church, Mullabrack, c/o Jackson Stoops & Sons, Funeral Directors, TDI House, 92 Market Street, Tandragee, BT62 2BP or online at jstoops.co.uk.
The Cladymilltown road was closed overnight as a scene was established and officers launched an investigation into the crash. It has since reopened.
Roads Inspector Cherith Adair from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Collision Investigation Unit said: “My detectives are investigating the circumstances of the collision and would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dash-cam or other footage which could assist with our enquiries.”
FATAL HIT-AND-RUN
Separately, a man, aged in his 70s, has been killed in a fatal hit-and-run and a second man has been arrested in connection with the fatality.
The pensioner was riding a motorcycle when he was hit by a dark-coloured car that failed to stop and fled the scene of the crash.
Emergency services and members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland rushed to the scene on the Boa Island Road in Belleek, Co Fermanagh shortly before 3pm on Thursday.
The motorcyclist, who has been named as 70-year-old Richard Maze, was provided with first aid by PSNI officers and other emergency services at the scene.
However, he sadly died at the scene from his injuries.
Police arrested a 70-year-old man last night. He has since been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
He has also been charged with failing to remain where an accident occurred, causing injury, failing to report an accident whereby injury was caused and failing to stop where accident occurred causing injury.
The man is due to appear at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday, October 14.
