Patrick Rogers, 26, was driving and his mother-in-law Mary Duffy, 52, was one of the six passengers
Two of the three people who died in a crash near Cookstown in County Tyrone on Monday were Patrick Rogers and his mother-in-law Mary Duffy.
The driver of the other car – a woman in her 80s – also died in the collision in Dungannon Road about 15:30 GMT.
Mr Rogers’ wife and their four children were taken to hospital and their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
A woman was killed in a separate crash on the M1 in County Tyrone on Monday.
She was named locally as Imelda Quinn, who was in her 40s, from County Tyrone. She was a nurse and a mother of two young children.
Image source, McAleer Bros
Imelda Quinn, a mother-of-two from County Tyrone, died following a crash on the M1
The name of the woman in her 80s who died in the crash near Cookstown has not yet been released.
Mr Rogers, 26, who was from Cookstown, was driving his Nissan X-Trail.
Mrs Duffy, 52, was from Dungannon.
Supt Stephen Murray said: “Our thoughts are very much with the families of the people who lost their lives on our roads. Any loss of life is a cause of great sadness and it feels particularly tragic at Christmas.
“I’d also like to commend members of the public who provided assistance at the scene of this collision and our officers and other emergency services for their caring and professional approach in these very tragic circumstances.
“An investigation led by specialist investigators from the Collision Investigation Unit has commenced and I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time who may have witnessed the collision or who has dash-cam footage or any other information to contact police.”
Image source, Pacemaker
Three people died in a crash which happened in Dungannon Road, near Cookstown
Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill said it was “deeply tragic news”.
“I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the families of those tragically killed and every best wish to those injured for a full and speedy recovery,” she added.
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) MLA Patsy McGlone said it is “the worst possible news any family could receive but particularly at this time of year”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected at this incredibly difficult time.”
Image source, Pacemaker
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service sent four emergency crews to the Cookstown collision
In a tweet, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Doug Beattie said: “I just can’t imagine the horror those who survived have endured and the scene faced by the emergency services.
“Life is so precious and so fragile.”
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved in this tragic incident and the families and communities impacted by such a devastating loss.
“We also think of the emergency services who attended the scene and the health service staff caring for those injured.”
‘Incredible loss, grief and sorrow’
Police said no other vehicle was involved in the earlier crash in which Ms Quinn died.
Officers received a report just before 13:30 GMT on Monday that a blue Mercedes car had left the east-bound carriageway, near the Stangmore junction.
Emergency services attended but the woman died later in hospital as a result of her injuries, police said.
CannyMan Community Arts said Ms Quinn was a founding member of the organisation and that it was “difficult to find words to articulate the incredible loss, grief and sorrow felt at this time”.
“Coming from a family steeped in music and arts and with an abundance of talent, Imelda had the foresight to create an organisation that would celebrate the arts and provide opportunities to showcase talent within the Galbally community,” it added.
