Man dies after suspected stolen car crashes and catches fire

Q Radio news

A man's body has been found in a crashed car which was found on fire in the Galliagh area of Derry Londonderry early this morning. 

The vehicle reportedly hit a lamp post in Fairview Park at around 4.15am before catching on fire, and continuing a short distance. 

Police believe the red Mazda 6 had been stolen in the Oakfield Avenue area of the city earlier. 

Officers are working to establish the circumstances of the crash, and weather any other people were in the car at the time. 

A large area remains closed off between  Galliagh Park and Knockalla Park to the Moss Road roundabout. 

Chief Inspector Jonny Hunter is appealing for anyone who observed a red coloured Mazda car being driven in the area of Oakfield Avenue or Fairview Road prior to the collision or anyone who witnessed the collision to contact officers in Strand Road on 101.

Police hood the scene in Galliagh where a road traffic collision happened. A wide area of Galliagh centering around Knockalla Park has been cordoned off and a car covered for forensic examination pic.twitter.com/PpfOWGNYge

— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) June 1, 2019

Councillor Brian Tierney said “I would appeal to local people to be patient as this operation continues this morning.

"I have asked PSNI officers to consider reducing the size of their corden at the earliest opportunity but we all have to respect the policing response that is happening here.

“Bus services will also be disrupted and carers may have difficulty with this morning’s visits. I would ask people to be aware of these disruptions and try to plan accordingly. I will be liaising with police officers as the situation continues.”