Ex-UTV presenter dies after car falls in Strangford Lough

A former UTV presenter has died after his car entered the water in Co Down.

Brian Black was aged in his 70s.

His car plunged into Strangford Lough shortly before midday on Tuesday.

A rescue operation took place and Mr Black was freed from the vehicle and taken to hospital where he sadly passed away.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) along with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), Coastguard and RNLI were involved in the rescue effort.

A NIFRS spokesman said the man was rescued from the car by members of the public and the Coastguard.

“The Coastguard helicopter carried out an aerial search, while NIFRS specialist rescue team and the RNLI carried out search on the water to make sure there were no other casualties.

Two emergency crews were dispatched, and assisted by the charity Air Ambulance.

A spokesman said Mr Black was brought to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast by road ambulance.

A number of former UTV colleagues, including Gerry Kelly, have paid tribute to Mr Black.

Brian Black was one of the best known faces on TV in Northern Ireland for over 20 years.

He initially presented the award-winning current affairs programe, Counterpoint.

Brian then switched to become UTV’s environment correspondent, providing pioneering coverage.

He gave the environment a voice, reporting from Greenland and the disappearing ice caps as climate change gathered pace.

In more recent years he had worked as a programme maker for UTV, producing a programme on the refurbishment and reopening of Mount Stewart.

Paul Reilly reflects on Brian Black’s career from Strangford Lough:

Tributes to Brian Black