Ballynahinch: Man found dead after being struck by lorry

Image caption, A number of roads were closed following the incident in Ballynahinch town centre, but they have since reopened

A man in his 70s has died after being knocked down by a lorry and carried six miles (9.6km).

Police believe he was hit by the lorry in The Square, Ballynahinch, on Monday afternoon.

However, his body was not found until a short time later when the lorry arrived at a quarry on the Newcastle Road in Seaforde.

Police said a full investigation into the fatal incident was ongoing and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Insp Cherith Adair said police had received a report of the "sudden death of a man at quarry premises in the Newcastle Road area of Seaforde" at about 16:10 BST on Monday.

Image caption, Police placed a cordon on the main road between Ballynahinch and Newcastle, close to where the man's body was found

"Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from other emergency services," she said.

"A number of roads were closed for a time between Seaforde and Ballynahinch town centre in order to enable police enquiries into exactly what occurred.

"We understand, sadly, the pedestrian collided with a white HGV Renault lorry a short time earlier in The Square area of Ballynahinch.

"He was sadly subsequently discovered already deceased when the lorry stopped at its location in Seaforde."

Alliance Party councillor David Lee-Surginor passed on his "heartfelt condolences to the man and my thoughts are with everybody who was involved in the incident because I'm sure it was very traumatising for everyone involved".

Image caption, The man is understood to have been carried for about six miles before he was discovered

The Sinn F茅in MP for South Down Chris Hazzard said it was "tragic news".

"The community is shocked and heartbroken at this incident and I know they will rally around to support the man's family in what will be difficult days ahead," he said.