A serious collision on Lisnevenagh Road, Ballymena on May 9 saw emergency services respond and a motorcyclist taken to RVH in a serious condition; witnesses are asked to contact PSNI
The mid-day collision on Lisnevenagh Road in Ballymena occurred on May 9, 2026 at approximately 12:19–12:20pm. Local police and ambulance crews were among the first responders, and a charity Air Ambulance with a HEMS team (that is, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) was also tasked to the scene.
Initial accounts indicate a single motorcyclist collided with another vehicle at the junction with Woodgreen Road, leaving the rider in a serious condition and requiring urgent hospital transfer.
Traffic was heavily affected after the incident, with the carriageway closed between the Seven Towers Roundabout and the Dunsilly Roundabout.
The stretch of Lisnevenagh Road is a principal link between the M2 and the towns of Antrim and Ballymena, so authorities advised motorists to take alternative routes while emergency services worked at the scene. Police later confirmed the road has since reopened following their examinations and clear-up operations.
What happened at the scene
According to attending officers, the collision occurred on the north-bound carriageway close to the Woodgreen Road junction. Reports vary on the make of the other vehicle, described in some updates as a van and in others as a lorry; the essential fact remains that the impact left the rider seriously injured. On-site medical teams provided advanced care before transferring the patient by road ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) for further treatment. The other driver was spoken to by officers and sustained no injuries.
Location and traffic disruption
The closure affected both directions of Lisnevenagh Road from the Seven Towers Roundabout to the Dunsilly Roundabout, creating delays on connecting routes. Traffic-monitoring services advised drivers to avoid the area while police conducted their investigations and emergency crews operated. Once the scene was cleared and investigative work concluded, authorities reopened the carriageway, but the earlier restriction left a noticeable impact on journeys linking the M2 with surrounding towns.
Emergency response and medical evacuation
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) received a 999 call at around 12:19 and dispatched a Rapid Response Paramedic plus two Emergency Crews. Ambulance Control then tasked the charity Air Ambulance, carrying a HEMS crew, to attend the scene. After assessment and initial treatment, the patient was transported by ambulance to RVH. The presence of both on-ground crews and an aerial medical team underlines the severity of the incident and the priority given to stabilising and conveying the injured rider to hospital care.
On-scene coordination
Police, ambulance services and the Air Ambulance coordinated to secure the site, manage the flow of traffic and deliver urgent clinical care. The PSNI maintained a cordon while paramedics worked, and investigators began collecting evidence and witness statements. That multi-agency response is standard procedure for a serious RTC (road traffic collision) and is designed to preserve life while allowing investigators to establish the circumstances around the incident.
Investigation and appeals to the public
The PSNI in Ballymena has appealed for anyone who saw the collision, or who has dashcam footage that might help enquiries, to get in touch. Witnesses are asked to contact police on 101 and quote reference 656 of May 9. Officers will use such accounts, along with physical evidence gathered at the scene, to piece together a timeline and understand the factors that led to the collision. At this stage, inquiries remain ongoing and further updates will be provided as investigations progress.
For residents and road users, the episode serves as a reminder of the impact a single incident can have on a busy arterial route and on the lives of those involved. The priority now is the recovery of the injured rider and a full, thorough investigation by the PSNI supported by statements from any witnesses or drivers with relevant footage.
