Teenager, 18, dies after car he was driving collided with COW as police urge witnesses come forward

A teenager from Northern Ireland has died after the car he was driving collided with a cow.

Josh Fletcher died in the early hours of Sunday morning after his car left the road when he collided with the animal.

The 18-year-old from the Moira area in County Down died from his injuries at the scene. 

The tragic incident took place on the Moira Road in Lisburn at around 3am.

Police have not confirmed the fate of the cow that was hit but is thought to have been killed as well.

Sergeant Jonny Mackenzie has appealed for any potential witnesses to come forward.

‘Josh was the driver of a car which left the road after colliding with a cow at around 3am on Sunday morning and sadly died at the scene as a result of his injuries,’ he said.

‘We are currently conducting a number of follow-up enquiries into the collision and the road remains closed at this time with diversions in place.

‘Josh was travelling in the direction of Moira, between the junctions with the Bushfield Road and the Moyrusk Road when the collision took place.

‘I would ask anyone who travelled along this stretch of road in the time leading up to the collision to contact police with any information or dash-cam footage they may have.

‘Please call on 101 quoting reference number 227.’

Tributes to the teen were paid online with one person writing: ‘Every parent’s worst nightmare… so very sad.’

Another wrote: ‘Such a tragic accident. Heartbreaking for the family.’