Seventeen-year-old Kamile Vaicikonyte tragically lost her life alongside an unnamed 19-year-old man in a fatal car accident on Doogary Road in Omagh, County Tyrone. The heartbreaking incident occurred on a Tuesday evening, with both victims passing away at the scene of the collision which involved only one vehicle, a blue BMW. Inspector Cherith Adair of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has urged anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has dashcam footage to get in touch, confirming that their investigation is still underway.
Kamile was a Year 13 student at St Ciaran’s College in Ballygawley, a community that is mourning her untimely passing. The school released a statement extending their deepest sympathies to Kamile’s grieving family, expressing their shock and sadness at the tragic event.
The recurrent loss of lives on the A5 has sparked further outrage and brought forth renewed calls for road redevelopment. West Tyrone’s Sinn Féin representative, MP Orfhlaith Begley, stated her shock and heartbreak over the news, expressing sympathy for the families who are facing unimaginable pain due to the loss of their loved ones. She also demanded immediate progression on the A5’s redevelopment, asserting the serious danger the road presents.
Daniel McCrossan, MLA for the SDLP, echoed Begley’s sentiments, arguing that the A5 should not be allowed to take any more lives and needs urgent improvement. Both political figures underline the urgency in moving forward with the A5 redevelopment without any further delays.
“Since Stormont’s reinstatement, we’ve already witnessed several fatalities on the A5. This alarming trend is happening routinely and our community can’t bear these losses anymore,” he declared.
“Every day, individuals set off from their homes to navigate this road, thereby causing significant distress among their family members who cannot be certain of their safe return.
“It’s crucial that we advance with the A5 redevelopment. We can’t tolerate any further postponements; the literal survival of people is at risk and no reason can absolve us of this responsibility,” he emphasised.