Overview
- Police received reports shortly before 12:40am on 26 December of a collision on Drum Road outside Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
- An initial crash between a silver Volkswagen Golf and a black Volkswagen Golf was followed minutes later by a black Vauxhall Corsa striking one of the cars, according to investigators.
- Padraig McDonald, 20, from Loughmacrory, died in hospital; a boy in his late teens sustained life-changing injuries and another late-teen suffered serious facial injuries.
- PSNI said the five occupants of the silver Golf were injured, while occupants of the black Golf and the black Corsa were not believed to be seriously hurt, following earlier conflicting reports.
- Drum Road remains closed as the Collision Investigation Unit continues enquiries, with witnesses urged to contact 101 quoting reference 30 26/12/25; local MP Órfhlaith Begley offered condolences.