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Your support makes all the difference.Four police officers were killed today when their vehicle left the road and crashed in County Down, Northern Ireland.
Police have sealed-off the scene of the crash which occurred on a road that runs along the shoreline of south County Down.
No other vehicle was involved in the accident.
The Ulster Unionist Party's Basil McCrea said he was shocked to hear of the tragedy and he extended his condolences to the deceased officers' families, friends and colleagues.
"This is a dreadful tragedy," he said, "And it is a stark reminder of the debt we owe the PSNI for the work they do for the community.
"The Ulster Unionist Party passes on its sincere condolences today."
Mr McCrea, a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said the fact that the accident came only weeks before Christmas made the circumstances all the more tragic.
It is understood two of the officers were fulltime PSNI members, while the other two officers killed in the crash were part-time members of the police service.
All four were from the Mourne area of south Down and while details have yet to be confirmed, it is believed at least some of the officers were married with children.
The Kilkeel police station is closed on weekends and it is understood officers travelled from Newry to carry out routine inquiries, most often related to alcohol-related complaints.
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Assembly member Jim Wells who represents the area said the accident was a devastating tragedy.
"Everyone in the Mourne community will know one or other of these men," he said.
"This will be a dreadful tragedy for the entire community and it will take a long time for people to come to terms with what has happened."
He extended his condolences to the families of those involved in the accident, which is believed to have taken place when driving conditions were poor.
Police are now investigating the crash, but have yet to name the officers who died.
Mr Wells said: "It is important that we find out the circumstances behind this tragedy and make certain all necessary steps are taken to ensure there is no recurrence."
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