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Four police officers die in crash Four police officers die in crash
(about 1 hour later)
Four policemen have been killed in a road accident in County Down. Four policemen have been killed in a road crash while answering a call for help from colleagues in County Down.
It is understood they were on their way to help a colleague when the accident happened at about 0400 GMT on the road between Warrenpoint and Kilkeel. They were driving towards Rostrevor on the coast road outside Warrenpoint when the accident happened at about 0400 GMT.
The two full-time and two part-time officers were from the Mourne area. It is understood two had young children. All four were from south Down. The men were aged between their mid-20s and late 30s and it is understood two of them had young children.
A police spokesman said there was "no indication that the deaths were terrorist-related. Police are treating the deaths as a tragic accident." The police said they were treating the deaths as a tragic accident.
The road between Warrenpoint and Kilkeel will be closed for several hours Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde visited the scene of the accident
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde visited the scene of the tragedy. Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said an investigation into the crash had started.
"The vehicle collided with a wall at a small bridge and caught fire," she said.
ACC Gillespie said the vehicle had, like most other police vehicles, been fitted with a 'black box' device, "which will record all the details of the incident at the time".
She said it was too early to say whether the dark and wet conditions were a factor in the crash.
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde visited the scene of the tragedy on Sunday morning.
He said he was "shocked" at what he had seen, and at the loss suffered by both the families of the men and the PSNI.He said he was "shocked" at what he had seen, and at the loss suffered by both the families of the men and the PSNI.
"This is an extremely sad day for the family, friends and colleagues who served with the police officers who lost their lives in this tragic incident in the early hours of this morning.
"The police family have lost four fine police officers in what are deeply tragic circumstances and our heartfelt condolences go out to their families," he said.
Chairman of the Police Federation, Terry Spence, said: "To lose one officer in these circumstances would be dreadful, to lose four officers is just devastating.
"The people of Northern Ireland must understand that while they are in their beds at night, the police service is out protecting the community.
'Dreadful event'
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward paid tribute to the work of the police.
"It is at times like this that the huge debt that we all owe them is brought home in a particularly shocking and cruel way," he said.
Mayor of Newry and Mourne, Colman Burns, said the news "had caused great shock and despair throughout the community".
DUP assembly member Jim Wells said: "There won't be a single family in south Down who won't know one of those killed.DUP assembly member Jim Wells said: "There won't be a single family in south Down who won't know one of those killed.
"They were family men and it's going to be an extraordinarily difficult few weeks leading up to Christmas as people come to terms with what has been a truly dreadful event.""They were family men and it's going to be an extraordinarily difficult few weeks leading up to Christmas as people come to terms with what has been a truly dreadful event."
Policing Board chairman Sir Desmond Rea said he was deeply saddened. Mayor of Newry and Mourne, Colman Burns, said the news "had caused great shock and despair throughout the community".
"To lose four officers in a road traffic collision is horrific and on behalf of the Policing Board I offer my sincere condolences to the families of these officers who will be absolutely devastated by this tragic event," he said. The road is expected to remain closed for several hours.
The Moygannon Road is expected to remain closed for several hours.