A 24-year-old woman has died and a man remains seriously injured after they were struck by a car in north Belfast in the early hours of Thursday, police have confirmed. The collision, described by detectives as a hit-and-run, happened in the York Street area at about 2.40am.
Arrest after driver fled the scene
Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the driver left the scene immediately after the collision. A 22-year-old man was later arrested by officers in the Cavehill area and remains in custody while enquiries continue.
"It was reported the pedestrians were struck by a vehicle – the driver of which, a 22-year-old man, subsequently fled the scene, and was later arrested by officers in the nearby Cavehill area."
Emergency services attended and provided medical assistance at the scene. The woman was pronounced dead there; the male pedestrian was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The road closures that had been put in place while officers worked at the scene have since been lifted.
Local response and appeal for witnesses
Local politicians and community representatives expressed shock at the incident. DUP MLA Philip Brett said the area was "in shock" and paid tribute to the speed of the emergency services' response. The PSNI has issued an appeal for anyone with information, or any dash-cam or mobile footage of the collision, to come forward.
- Time of incident: around 2.40am on Thursday
- Location: York Street area, north Belfast
- Fatalities: one female pedestrian, aged 24
- Injuries: one male pedestrian, taken to hospital with serious injuries
- Arrested: 22-year-old man, in police custody
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident type | Collision involving pedestrians |
| Police reference | 181 16/07/26 |
| How to report | Use the PSNI witness appeal form or call 101 |
This is an active investigation by the PSNI collision investigation unit. Detectives are working to establish the exact circumstances and have asked anyone who was in the York Street, Cliftonville Road or Cavehill areas around the time of the collision to check for relevant footage or eyewitness information.
For people living or travelling in north Belfast, expect police activity around the York Street corridor while enquiries continue and follow local travel updates. If you have information that could assist detectives, you can submit it through the PSNI's online witness appeal form quoting reference 181 16/07/26, or by phoning 101.
The death of a young woman in such circumstances will have a profound effect on her family and the local community. Further details will be released by the PSNI as they become available.
