Three people have been killed and four taken to hospital after a crash in Co Tyrone.
It is understood one of the vehicles involved was a minibus carrying a number of people.
The incident, which also involved a lorry, occurred shortly after 7am on the A5 Tullyvar road just outside Aughnacloy on Thursday morning.
Colm Gildernew, Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, extended his sympathies to the families of the victims.
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“First and foremost my thoughts are with everyone involved in today’s tragic accident here on the A5 just outside Aughnacloy,” he said.
“This news will devastate families and communities and friends and my thoughts are with each and every one of them.”
Mr Gildernew said the road where the accident occurred needs to be made safer.
“The A5 is a road that has seen multiple tragedies over many years and each and every one of those tragedies is an individual disaster for every family and community involved, and it is time that we seen this A5 road completed and made safe to allow people to travel on it in safety,” he said.
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said the victims were from the Strabane area.
He said the local community had been “devastated” by the tragedy.
“The accident in Aughnacloy, that has claimed the lives of three local people from this community and left a number of others seriously injured, is an unspeakable tragedy that has devastated a number of families in this area and left the wider community shocked and heartbroken,” he said.
“I know a number of those involved in this crash and our thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families as they come to terms with what’s happened.
“There’s little we can say to provide any kind of comfort at such a terrible time, but I know the entire community will rally around them in their time of need.
“I am absolutely heartbroken for the families involved, this is a needless loss of life that has devastated our community and hit everyone very hard.”
David Nichol, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Western Area Commander said three fire engines attended the scene.
“My heartfelt sympathies are with the family and friends of the three people who lost their lives following a road traffic collision on the Tullyvar Road, Aughnacloy this morning,” he said.
“NIFRS was called to the incident involving two vehicles at 7.21am on Thursday April 27 2023, along with colleagues from Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Police Service of Northern Ireland.
“Three fire appliances attended – two from Clogher Fire Station and one from Dungannon Fire Station.
“Firefighters used cutting equipment to rescue casualties from their vehicles and they were then taken into the care of Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.”
In a statement the PSNI said: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland can confirm that three people have sadly died following a road traffic collision on the Tullyvar Road area of Aughnacloy this morning. Officers are in attendance at the scene and an investigation has commenced.
“The road remains closed at this stage. Four casualties have been taken to hospital.”
Police later said they were aware of inappropriate photographs taken of the scene of the fatal collision in Aughnacloy being shared on social media and other platforms. Superintendent Mervyn Seffen, Mid Ulster District Commander, said: “Three people have sadly lost their lives in this tragic collision and our thoughts are with their family and friends today. Do not add to their distress by viewing or sharing these images.”
Additional reporting: PA
