Christmas Eve tragedy as young man dies in forklift collision

A 23-year-old man has died following a single-vehicle road traffic collision involving a forklift in the Craigantlet area of Newtownards on Christmas Eve.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the fatal collision occurred on a laneway off the Holywood Road on Wednesday 24 December, shortly before 1pm.

Emergency services were called to the scene, however the young man was pronounced dead despite the efforts of first responders.

Chief Inspector Simpson of the PSNI’s Collision Investigation Unit said:

“Shortly before 1pm, we received and responded to a report of a collision involving a forklift.

“Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service also attended, however, a man was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

“He was Callum McVeigh, aged 23, from the Crossgar area.

“Our enquiries are continuing, and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have digital footage which could assist with our investigation, to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 685 24/12/25.”

The death of Mr McVeigh has cast a shadow over the Christmas period for his family and the wider Crossgar community, where the 23-year-old was well known.

The laneway and surrounding area were attended by specialist collision investigators as part of ongoing enquiries. No further details have been released at this stage.