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Down Rally: Ryan Bradley, from Kilrea, dies after car plunges into reservoir | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man who was competing in a rally driving event in County Down has died in an accident along the route. | |
Ryan Bradley, from Kilrea in County Londonderry, was killed at the Down Rally on Saturday. | |
His car crashed into a wall and ended up in Lough Island Reavy reservoir near Castlewellan. | |
His co-driver was taken to hospital, but he was not thought to be seriously injured. The event was subsequently cancelled. | |
The rally began just before 10:00 BST on Saturday from the centre of Castlewellan. | The rally began just before 10:00 BST on Saturday from the centre of Castlewellan. |
About 70 crews headed the short distance to the first test at Lough Island Reavy and were due to go to Katesbridge, before returning to Castlewellan Forest Park for service. | |
The accident happened as Mr Bradley was taking part in the first stage of the event at about 11:30 BST. | |
Police divers recovered Mr Bradley's body. He was in his 20s and a member of Magherafelt and District Motor Club. | |
The club chairperson James McKeefry, who was competing at Saturday's event, said the club has been left devastated. | |
He confirmed that Mr Bradley had been driving the car. | |
"Ryan was not only a club member but a real friend to us all," he said. | |
"I want to take this opportunity to offer our sincere condolences to Ryan's family and his friends. | |
"We will try to help each other through it." | |
The organisers of Down Rally, Rathfriland Motor Club, later confirmed that a competitor had lost his life in the accident. | |
"The thoughts of Rathfriland Motor Club, and everyone involved with the event are with the family and friends of the deceased at this time," it said in a statement on its website. | "The thoughts of Rathfriland Motor Club, and everyone involved with the event are with the family and friends of the deceased at this time," it said in a statement on its website. |
"As with all incidents of this nature, an investigation is now being carried out by the PSNI and appropriate local authority. | "As with all incidents of this nature, an investigation is now being carried out by the PSNI and appropriate local authority. |
"Rathfriland Motor Club together with the sport's governing body, the Motor Sports Association (MSA), are co-operating fully with the investigation." | "Rathfriland Motor Club together with the sport's governing body, the Motor Sports Association (MSA), are co-operating fully with the investigation." |
After the accident, the remainder of the rally was cancelled. | After the accident, the remainder of the rally was cancelled. |
"The incident on stage one is still being investigated," it said. | "The incident on stage one is still being investigated," it said. |