A man in his 40s killed in a crash in Magherafelt on Tuesday evening has been named locally as Cookstown man Ainslie Gordon.
The father of two from Co Tyrone was travelling on a motorcycle which collided with a tractor on the Aughrim Road near Magherafelt.
A former member of the Sons of William Flute Band in Cookstown , the band said the news of the 49-year-old's death was ‘devastating’.
Read more: Fire service investigating cause of shed blaze as vintage cars burnt out in Co Tyrone
“Absolutely devastating news. Ainsley was a past member of our band and a dear friend to many of our members, the band said in a post.
“He is also an Uncle of our esteemed member, Graeme Robinson, and a Great Uncle to Bobbi.
“We trust that the family will find comfort in the difficult days, weeks and months ahead.”
UUP councillor for Cookstown Trevor Wilson said Ainslie’s death had been a shock to all those in the local community.
“This is a tragic loss for our community and my thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time,” Cllr Wilson said.
Mid Ulster SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone also offered his condolences to the family.
“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man killed on the Aughrim Road last night. I can only imagine the pain they are going through after losing a loved one in such unexpected and devastating circumstances and they have my deepest condolences,” McGlone said.
“The Aughrim Road is a major road into Magherafelt that is used by vast numbers of people every day and this incident will be a shock to the local community who will no doubt extend their deepest sympathies to the relatives of the man who was tragically killed.”
The PSNI continue to appeal for further information about the crash.
"Police can confirm that the man who died following a road traffic collision outside Magherafelt was 49-year-old Ainslie Gordon from Cookstown," a spokesperson said.
"Mr Gordon died in hospital from his injuries following the road traffic collision on the Aughrim Road, Magherafelt on Tuesday evening, 7th June.
"The collision, involving a red Massey Ferguson tractor and a black Triumph Daytona motorbike, occurred shortly after 8.30pm.
"Officers are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision, including another motorcyclist seen in the area at the time, or who has dash-cam footage which could assist officers with their enquiries to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 1977 07/06/22."
Read more: Derry dad's 'happy' life shattered by rare cancer diagnosis
Read more: NI woman named Nurse of the Year after working through grief of son's death
To get the latest Co Tyrone news straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
