Tributes paid to Omagh man Neil McAleer

Tributes have been paid to twenty-four year-old Neil McAleer - who died after being struck by lorry in Omagh yesterday.

Tributes are continuing to pour in for Neil McAleer who died after being struck by a lorry in Omagh yesterday morning.

The incident happened near the Brookmount Overpass on the Great Northern Road in the early hours.

"Police can confirm that the male pedestrian who died following a road traffic collision on Great Northern Road in Omagh early this morning has been named as 24 year old Neil McAleer from the Omagh area," a statement from the PSNI read.

Officers also confirmed that a man in his twenties was arrested following the fatal crash.

"The collision, involving a Ford tipper lorry, occurred close to the Brookmount Road overpass and was reported to Police shortly before 4.50am. A 28 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of a number of motoring offences and is currently in custody assisting police with their enquiries," the statement continued.

Diversions had been in place between the Dromore Road and the Derry Road roundabout near the town for much of the morning and early afternoon while Police dealt with the scene.

Since yesterday morning's tragedy, tributes have been paid as news of the twenty-four year-old's death filtered out through the community.

West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer has said the incident "has shocked the local area".

"Any death on our roads is one too many," the Sinn Fein assemblyman said.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of this young man at this sad time," he added.

A sentiment echoed by party colleague and Omagh Town councillor Marty McColgan.

"This is devastating news for the family of this young man, it's an awful, awful tragedy - my condolences and, I imagine, the condolences of everybody in Omagh - now go out to the family," he told Q Radio News.

Police are also appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.

"Inspector Keith Hicks is appealing for anyone who was travelling on the Great Northern Road early this morning or anyone who noticed a male pedestrian or Ford tipper lorry in the area to contact local police in Omagh or the Collision Investigation Unit by calling 101 and quoting reference number 337 of 18/09/16," the PSNI said in a statement.