Ombudsman investigating police contact with couple struck by vehicle

Investigators are appealing for witnesses to contact between Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers and a young couple shortly before they were hit by a van. Shannon McQuillan, 19, lost her life when she was struck by a vehicle on the Moneynick Road near Toome early on Saturday (January 20). Her partner, 21-year-old Owen McFerran, sustained serious injuries and is being treated in hospital. The pair had been helped by PSNI officers earlier that night after Ms McQuillan slipped on ice and required medical assistance. Officers were also called to a later incident on the Moneynick Road where they again interacted with Ms McQuillan and Mr McFerran. The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI) is now investigating the PSNI’s actions in the lead-up to the collision, and has asked any potential witnesses to come forward. A PONI spokesperson said: “We would wish to express our sincere condolences to Shannon’s family on their tragic and untimely loss. “Our thoughts are also with Owen’s family and friends at this very difficult time. “Our investigators are now working to establish what happened during the interaction between police officers and Shannon and Owen prior to the collision.” The PSNI said: “Our thoughts at this time are with the McQuillan family and all of those affected by this tragic incident.”