Tragic death on road, but also incredible bravery as man pulled from burning car

Q Radio News

A 45-year-old biker has died after his motorcycle collided with a bus on the Portaferry Road.

Paramedics and the Air Ambulance were called to the crash near Newtownards on Sunday afternoon - but no-one was taken from the scene to hospital.

Meanwhile, an unconscious driver was pulled from a burning car on the same stretch of road after a separate collision on Saturday.

William McMullen from Rathfriland was passing at the time and rushed to help, risking his own life.

The 52-year-old father-of-two is a motorcycle racing marshall and has first aid training. 

William's been praised for his bravery by police, but says he's no hero.

However, his wife Hazel, daughter Courtney and son William junior have a different view. They say he's always been their hero and always will be.

The Portaferry Road outside Newtownards saw a tragic death at the weekend, but also incredible bravery when William McMullen risked his own life to pull an unconscious young crash victim from a burning car. William says he's no hero, his family disagrees. More on air at 8. pic.twitter.com/NgyimZ5qid

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 3, 2018

Police have posted this message and image below on social media -

"I shook the hand of a very brave man today.

"I know we often say that people could have saved lives but the gentleman concerned today really stepped up to the mark. 

"Seconds after this collision the car burst into flames with the unconscious driver still inside. 

"Risking his own safety the gentleman managed to pull him free of the car and to safety." 

The McMullen family has been speaking to Q Radio, starting with William describing the dramatic rescue...

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