Five taken to hospital after two-car collision in Ballymena

Five people have been taken to hospital following a two-vehicle collision in Ballymena on Saturday evening which temporarily shut part of the Crankill Road as emergency services dealt with the aftermath.

Police, ambulance crews and firefighters were called to the scene at around 5.50pm on Saturday, 23 May, following reports of a crash involving a VW Golf and a Mazda.

Traffic was diverted from the area as the Crankill Road was closed for a period while emergency services attended and the scene was managed.

Emergency services respond to Ballymena crash

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that officers attended alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

Inspector McGillan said:

“We received a report at around 5.50pm of a collision involving a VW Golf and a Mazda.

“Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, with five people subsequently taken on to hospital for treatment to their injuries.

“The Crankill Road, which was closed for a time, has since reopened to traffic.”

The extent of the injuries sustained has not yet been confirmed.

Appeal issued for witnesses and dash-cam footage

Police are now appealing for witnesses and anyone who may have captured the collision or the moments leading up to it on dash-cam or other video footage to come forward.

Motorists travelling through the area at the time are being urged to check any recordings which may assist investigators.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1263 of 23/05/26.

Reports can also be submitted online through the PSNI non-emergency reporting form at: www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at: http://crimestoppers-uk.org/

The incident is likely to raise further concerns locally around road safety on busy routes, particularly during weekend evening traffic periods when roads can remain heavily used.