Man who died in lorry crash involved in previous tragedy that led to …

A man who died in a single-vehicle lorry crash in Co Down was involved in a previous tragic incident that led to the death of a work colleague and friend.

Ryan Telford, in his late twenties, died following the crash yesterday morning on the Ballynahinch Road near Dromara.

He was driving a blue Scania lorry when the collision happened and died at the scene. Hundreds of people reacted with sadness on social media at the death of Mr Telford.

Mr Telford, from Millisle, last year pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of 29-year-old Philip Capper after the tractor they were travelling in crashed and overturned in July 2018.

Judge Patrick Lynch QC imposed 240 hours of community service and a 15-month driving ban following the plea of careless driving. Craigavon Crown Court heard the accident happened because the brakes on either side of the vehicle were uncoupled and not locked. 

The court heard Mr Telford, the driver, approached a right-hand bend on the Back Road near Drumbo and he met an oncoming JCB.

There was not enough room to pass but the defendant’s vehicle did not stop “appropriately” as the brakes were uncoupled. There is no suggestion he was driving at speed.

The tractor skidded off the road, went through a hedge and overturned, crushing the passenger, Mr Capper.

“I have taken into account the pre-sentence report and submissions to the court,” Judge Lynch said. “The defendant is a working man; on this particular week he had worked 50 hours or more.”

The judge added: “He is of good general character. I have a number of references which speak well of him.”

Judge Lynch said no words could lessen the grief felt by the Capper family, nor could any penalty bring back their loved one.He said he accepted the defendant feels “extreme remorse” 

Mr Telford died when the lorry he was driving crashed around 7.45am.

“Police received a report of a single-vehicle collision involving a blue Scania lorry shortly after 7.45am,” a PSNI spokesman said.

“Officers attended, along with colleagues from the other emergency services, but sadly the driver of the lorry died from his injuries at the scene.”

The PSNI is asking for anyone with information or has dashcam footage to contact the Collision Investigation Unit.