Family and friends of Samuel Stewart and Leah Ferguson have paid emotional tributes after they were killed in Thursday night’s accident.
Mr Stewart (37) and Ms Ferguson, who was in her early 20s, were from Belfast.
They died after the three-vehicle crash near Crumlin.
Two men and a woman were also taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.
The accident happened in the Ballyhill Road area.
Police said both victims, who were travelling in separate vehicles, passed away at the scene.
Leah’s mum Nicola Skillen posted a photograph of her daughter on social media, saying: “Our hearts are completely broken”.
Devastated friends of the young woman also paid moving tributes.
One said she was “completely lost for words”.
“Words can’t describe the pain we feel, you were the kindest, nicest person,” they added.
Another posted: “Leah was a beautiful girl inside and out and we will hold her in our hearts until we meet again.”
A third said: “Rest in peace – you will be so loved and missed always.”
Leah was a past pupil of St Louise’s Comprehensive College in Belfast, and worked at Superdrug, where colleagues recalled the “most positive and kind” person.
Meanwhile, relatives and friends of Mr Stewart remembered “a true gentleman”.
One said: “A real, true gentleman … I’ll never forget the memories we have.”
Mr Stewart’s cousin Leanne paid tribute to him online, saying he will “be loved and missed beyond words”.
Mr Stewart celebrated his 37th birthday earlier this month and had also recently got a pet dog.
Another said: “You will be sorely missed so much.”
South Antrim DUP MLA Trevor Clarke, whose constituency covers the crash scene, said it was “heartbreaking news”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those who sadly lost their lives,” he said.
In an update on Saturday, the PSNI said: Police can confirm the man who died following a three-vehicle road traffic collision in Crumlin on Thursday evening was 37-year-old Samuel Stewart.
“The collision, which occurred in the Ballyhill Road area shortly after 10.10pm, and involved a grey Audi A6, a black Citroen Volcane and a silver Volkswagen Golf, remains under investigation by the Collision Investigation Unit.
“Mr Stewart, from the Belfast area, was the driver of the Audi A6 and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“A woman, aged in her 20s, who the passenger of the Volkswagen Golf, was also sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“Two men and a woman were taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.
“Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has dash-cam footage or mobile phone footage which could assist officers with their enquiries is asked to contact Police on 101, quoting reference number 2104 29/02/24.”
The NI Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 10.10pm on Thursday night.
“NIAS despatched six emergency crews, a doctor, an ambulance officer and the hazardous area response team were also tasked to the incident.”
So far this year 11 people have died on Northern Ireland’s roads.
At the same point last year, the death toll stood at nine.
The total number of road deaths in 2023 had increased on recent years.
Figures released by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and PSNI show 71 people were killed in road tragedies last year — the highest since 2015 when 74 people died on our roads.
A senior PSNI officer said the number of fatalities was “simply horrific”.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
