A Saturday crash on Moira Road in Co Antrim killed Karen Stewart and sent five others to hospital.
At approximately 11 am on Saturday, 19 September, a serious three-vehicle crash occurred on the Moira Road just south of Glenavy, a small village in Co Antrim. The impact involved a Ford Kuga, a Citroen C5 and a BMW, creating a chaotic scene that required immediate attention from local emergency crews.
Among the occupants, 40-year-old Karen Stewart from the Portadown area was identified as the driver of the Ford Kuga. The collision resulted in Stewart succumbing to her injuries in hospital, while four additional adults and a child were rushed to medical facilities for treatment.
Details of the collision on Moira Road
Police received the first report at roughly 11.06 am, indicating that the three vehicles had collided at the junction of Crewe Park Road and Moira Road. The collision caused significant damage to all three cars and left the road obstructed for several hours.
Witnesses described hearing a loud crash followed by the screech of brakes as the drivers attempted to regain control. The victims were quickly extracted from the wreckage; however, despite rapid medical intervention, the driver of the Ford Kuga, identified as Karen Stewart, was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.
Emergency response and ongoing investigation
Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) arrived on scene alongside personnel from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. The combined teams worked to stabilise the injured, clear the debris and secure the area for further investigation. All five survivors – four adults and a child – were taken to hospitals where their injuries were assessed as non-life-threatening, according to medical reports. The PSNI has opened a formal inquiry into the causes of the crash and has issued an appeal for anyone who witnessed the event, possesses dash-cam footage, or can provide any relevant information to contact the force via their online witness-appeal form or by calling 101.
Community concerns about the crash site
Local residents, including members of the Ballinderry Residents Association, have expressed alarm over the frequency of serious accidents along the stretch of road connecting the Moira M1 roundabout to the Nutts Corner roundabout. The association highlighted that the area has historically been regarded as an “accident black spot” and urged authorities to review safety measures, such as improved signage and speed enforcement, to prevent further tragedies.
Road status and diversion information
Following the incident, Moira Road remained closed while police and recovery teams worked to remove the damaged vehicles. Detour routes were established to guide traffic around the blockage, and drivers were advised to follow the posted signs. The closure is expected to be lifted once the investigation concludes and the road is deemed safe for normal traffic flow.
