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Frantic efforts to save policemen Frantic efforts to save policemen
(about 2 hours later)
A man who saw the aftermath of the crash which claimed the lives of four policeman has spoken of how bystanders tried to save them.A man who saw the aftermath of the crash which claimed the lives of four policeman has spoken of how bystanders tried to save them.
Their vehicle crashed and burst into flames on the Warrenpoint to Rostrevor Road as they were answering a call at about 0400 GMT on Sunday.Their vehicle crashed and burst into flames on the Warrenpoint to Rostrevor Road as they were answering a call at about 0400 GMT on Sunday.
Barry McArdle tried to break the windows with a fire extinguisher.Barry McArdle tried to break the windows with a fire extinguisher.
"I hit the window, but the flames were spreading. There was only so much you could do," he said."I hit the window, but the flames were spreading. There was only so much you could do," he said.
Floral tributes have been laid at the scene of the crash by family and friends of the victims.Floral tributes have been laid at the scene of the crash by family and friends of the victims.
The policemen have been named locally as Declan Greene, Kenny Irvine, Kevin Gorman and James Magee - all from the Mourne area.The policemen have been named locally as Declan Greene, Kenny Irvine, Kevin Gorman and James Magee - all from the Mourne area.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr McArdle, a local taxi driver, said he came upon the scene of the crash shortly after it had happened, and saw the vehicle already on fire.Speaking to the BBC, Mr McArdle, a local taxi driver, said he came upon the scene of the crash shortly after it had happened, and saw the vehicle already on fire.
"I saw people beating the window with metal bars or bats," he said."I saw people beating the window with metal bars or bats," he said.
Barry McArdle tried to rescue the officers
"I hit the window maybe three, four times with the fire extinguisher but the windows were not moving, it was just having no effect and the flames were getting the better of us.""I hit the window maybe three, four times with the fire extinguisher but the windows were not moving, it was just having no effect and the flames were getting the better of us."
Mr McArdle said there were a number of people trying to help the policemen, but that the situation worsened quickly.Mr McArdle said there were a number of people trying to help the policemen, but that the situation worsened quickly.
"I heard someone saying stand back, or run, I just remember at one point the four or five people round the jeep just ran at the same time," he said. Seven people died on Northern Ireland's roads over the weekend.
Their deaths bring to seven the total number of people who died on Northern Ireland's roads over the weekend.
A total of 98 people have died in road accidents since the beginning of the year.A total of 98 people have died in road accidents since the beginning of the year.
It is devastating for their families and our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this time Peter Robinson First Minister
Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said her "heart went out" to all the families who had lost loved ones as the result of the recent road crashes.Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said her "heart went out" to all the families who had lost loved ones as the result of the recent road crashes.
She said speculation about the cause of the crash which killed the four policemen was unhelpful at this stage.She said speculation about the cause of the crash which killed the four policemen was unhelpful at this stage.
"There has been a lot of speculation about what did or didn't happen at the scene," she said. It is devastating for their families and our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this time Peter Robinson First Minister
"In my judgement, things happened so quickly that there was probably nothing anyone could do."
Speaking on Monday, First Minister Peter Robinson said he was "devastated" by the loss of four people who had served their community.Speaking on Monday, First Minister Peter Robinson said he was "devastated" by the loss of four people who had served their community.
"The people of Northern Ireland as a whole are in mourning," he said."The people of Northern Ireland as a whole are in mourning," he said.
"These were officers out doing their duty. It is devastating for their families and our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this time.""These were officers out doing their duty. It is devastating for their families and our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this time."
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the accidents at the weekend in which a total of seven people lost their lives on Northern Ireland's roads were "truly shocking".Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the accidents at the weekend in which a total of seven people lost their lives on Northern Ireland's roads were "truly shocking".
"Seven people have lost their lives. The incident in which the four young policemen were killed was truly terrible and terrible for their families.""Seven people have lost their lives. The incident in which the four young policemen were killed was truly terrible and terrible for their families."
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde led the tributes to the policemen on Sunday, describing them as "four fine police officers".
On Monday, the chairman of the Policing Board, Professor Desmond Rea, said he had talked with Sir Hugh.
"No doubt heads will be down across the police service, especially in Newry and Mourne this morning. But what is important is that there is a day's work to be done and I know that across the whole of the service they will get on with it," he said.