Man killed in Coleraine crash named as farmer James McCollum

75-year-old Jim McCollum. Photo issued by PSNI

Mr McCollum, who was 75-years-old, died after his Landrover jeep crashed into a tree shortly after 3pm on Tuesday.

The collision happened on the Curragh Road, south of Coleraine.

The road runs roughly parallel to the River Bann between Castleroe to the north and Agivey to the south.

UUP Councillor William McCandless said he was a farmer from a “decent, upright family”.

Passing on his condolences, Mr McCandless said: “I know the family, a very well respected family from the Coleraine area. They are farmers who would have given a lot of employment to local people in the 1950s and 60s at harvest times. I would sincerely like to pass on my condolences to them.

“When tragedy comes like this, unexpectedly, it is a great shock to everyone and it is very tragic. I would like to extend my sympathies.”

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald said: “Any death on the road is one too many. I would like to express my sympathies to the family and friends of the man who has died.”

The PSNI has asked anyone who witnessed the collision or who has any information which could assist the police investigation to contact officers at the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting reference number 753 07/03/17. The road remains closed at this time.