The pensioner critically injured after colliding with a police car while driving down the M1 in the wrong direction on Monday has sadly died in hospital.
He passed away at 7.40pm last night (Wednesday), a family member confirmed to Armagh I.
The deceased was 84-year-old Phil Smythe, from Armagh.
He had only been predeceased by his wife in June.
Police had thanked members of the public who contacted them on Monday morning (September 21), to make them aware of a vehicle driving on the M1 in the wrong direction.
Following the first report at 4.49am, officers attended and a Volkswagen Polo car collided with a stationary police car between the Lurgan and Moira junctions on the westbound carriageway.
The driver was taken to hospital in a critical condition but sadly passed away last night.
A male police officer was also injured and taken to hospital.
Inspector Andrew Wilson appealed for information after the collision, saying: “We would also like to trace the movements of the car prior to its arrival on the M1. If you noticed a blue Volkswagen Polo car on the roads around Armagh, Dungannon or Craigavon during the early hours of this morning please contact us on 101, quoting ref: 119 210915.”
The Police Ombudsman have been made aware of this incident.
Armagh I would like to extend our sincere sympathies to Mr Smyth’s family at this time. May he Rest in Peace.
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