A YOUNG man has been arrested after a pedestrian on a busy road was struck down by a van that made off from the scene in Belfast.
A man, aged in his 30s, is fighting for his life in hospital following the hit-and-run collision on the Crumlin Road on Saturday night.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash, which took place outside the Mater Infirmorum Hospital, shortly before 11:30pm.
Police in north Belfast launched an investigation into the incident and this morning confirmed that they have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the incident.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Shortly before 11.30pm on Saturday night, it was reported that a male pedestrian and a white van had been involved in a collision outside the Mater Hospital.
“The white van did not stop following the collision and made off from the scene.
“The male pedestrian, aged in his 30’s, sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision and currently remains in a critical condition in hospital.
“A 23-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences and currently remains in custody.”
Cops have issued an urgent appeal for information on the incident and have urged anyone who may have witnessed the crash to come forward.
A spokesperson said: “Officers would ask anyone who was travelling on the Crumlin Road late on Saturday night and who witnessed the collision or captured dash-cam footage which could assist with police enquiries to contact them at Tennent Street on 101, quoting reference number 1797 01/03/25.
“A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.
The collision took place just hours before a woman was killed by an SUV while she was out jogging on a busy road in Tralee, Co Kerry.
Anila Muca, 48, was one of three runners struck by the SUV that mounted a kerb on the Canal Road after the driver suffered a suspected heart attack on Sunday morning.
All three were treated at the scene before being removed to the nearby University Hospital Kerry where Anila died and her two running companions Claire and Clara are recovering from injuries.
The driver, a man in his late 80s, is suspected to have suffered a heart attack and was removed to hospital alongside the two injured runners.
The conditions of all three of the injured are not thought to be life-threatening.
Anyone who may have any information on the incident has been asked to come forward and assist gardai in their investigations.
Mayor of Tralee Mikey Sheehy told a county council meeting in Tralee that Anila’s death on a beautiful Sunday morning while out running was “a huge shock” for the town.
He described the Canal Road area as “a running hub” and said his thoughts and that of the council members and Tralee community were with Anila’s family and friends.
He also thanked the emergency services who attended the scene.
