Newcastle

A MAN, aged in his 70s, has died after he was hit by a lorry and discovered dead over six miles away when the truck came to a stop at its destination.

Police believe the pensioner, named locally as Giovanni Buggea, was struck by the white HGV Renault lorry in The Square, Ballynahinch, Co Down^[1] on Monday afternoon.

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Police closed a number of roads as they probed the incidentCredit: Alamy (stock image)

However, his body was not found until a short time later when the lorry arrived at its destination – a quarry on the Newcastle Road in Seaforde.

Mr Buggea, originally from Sicily, had lived in the Ballynahinch area for over 30 years.

The father-of-two sons, who was a patron of local pub Paddy Kelly’s, was described as “a lovely man”.

Pub owner Mark Murnin said locals would have seen walking around the town every day.

“Every day you would have seen Giovanni walking around the town,” he said.

“If people didn’t know his name – they knew him from seeing him around the town. The level of shock is very high.”

PSNI^[2] Inspector Cherith Adair from the collision investigation unit said: “Police received a report of the sudden death of a man at quarry premises in the Newcastle Road area of Seaforde at approximately 4.10pm on Monday afternoon, 8th April.

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“Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from other emergency services.”

Police explained that a number of roads between Seaforde and Ballynahinch town centre were closed for a time in order to enable police enquiries into “exactly what occurred.”

Insp Adair added: “We understand, sadly, the pedestrian collided with a white HGV Renault lorry a short time earlier in The Square area of Ballynahinch.

“He was sadly subsequently discovered already deceased when the lorry stopped at its location in Seaforde.”

Full investigation

A full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has been launched by cops and is currently ongoing.

The PSNI have urged anyone who may have any information to come forward.

Insp Adair said: “We would appeal to anyone with any information or who may have dash-cam or mobile phone footage available to get in touch.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have footage of both The Square area in Ballynahinch and the Newcastle Road, Seaforde between 3.30pm and 4pm, to contact us at the Collision Investigation Unit at Sprucefield on 101^[3], quoting reference number 1239 08/04/24.”

Sinn Fein^[4] MP Chris Hazzard said the local community have been left shocked and heartbroken by the tragic incident.

‘Tragic news’

The South Down MP said: “It’s tragic news that a man has died in a road traffic collision and I want to firstly extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

“The community is shocked and heartbroken at this incident and I know they will rally around to support the man’s family in what will be difficult days ahead.

Sad day

“I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services for their efforts at the scene and would appeal to anyone with information to bring it forward to police.”

He added: “This is another sad reminder of the pressing need to move forward and deliver the Ballynahinch Bypass.” 

DUP councillor Jonny Jackson said it had been a “very sad day in Ballynahinch”.

She added: “I’m thinking of the family that has been bereaved in such tragic circumstances, and thankful to the police and emergency services who had to deal with a very difficult situation last night.”

References

1. ^{^} Down (www.thesun.ie)
2. ^{^} PSNI (www.thesun.ie)
3. ^{^} 101 (tel)
4. ^{^} Sinn Fein (www.thesun.ie)