The PSNI and the Department for Infrastructure have carried out investigations into a section of motorway on which two people lost their lives in single vehicle crashes in recent months.
Philip Rainey, 21, died following a crash on the M1 eastbound near Stangmore in Dungannon in September while he was on the way to collect his partner and new baby son from hospital.
Imelda Quinn, 40, died on Boxing Day when she is understood to have been travelling to Craigavon hospital where she worked as a nurse. The single vehicle collision took place between Junction 14 and 15 on the M1 eastbound.
READ MORE: 15 people killed on Co Tyrone roads in 2022
50mph speed restrictions have been introduced on the section of motorway in recent weeks while investigations continue into the causes of the two fatal crashes.
A spokesperson for the PSNI said scene testing carried out earlier this month would be used to help establish the cause of the collisions.
“Police and partner agencies conducted an inspection and scene testing on Sunday 15th January, on the eastbound carriageway of the M1 motorway, between junctions 14 and 15, as part of investigations into the causes of two recent fatal road traffic collisions at this location,” the spokesperson said.
“The information gathered from the scene test will be used in conjunction with a host of other factors to give as complete a picture as possible into the causes of the collisions.
“While both investigations are currently ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
The Department for Infrastructure also confirmed it was involved in investigations in relation to the two fatal crashes. It said the temporary speed limit would remain in place until the results of scene testing had been assessed.
“The Department can confirm it was working with partner agencies in the investigations of the recent collisions,” a DfI spokesperson said.
“This is normal practice following any fatal road traffic collisions. The temporary speed limit was introduced following the recent collisions and a decision on how long it will remain in place will be taken once the results of tests carried out at the scene have been assessed.”
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