West Belfast man describes heartbreaking moment wife is killed after being hit by scrambler

Seamus Armstrong lost his wife Valerie when she was hit by a scrambler in Colin Glen Forest Park

A West Belfast man has described the heartbreaking moments that he lost his wife after she was hit by a scrambler in a forest park as part of a new campaign to end the illegal “scourge”.

In July 2016, Seamus Armstrong was in his back garden when he heard his name being screamed by neighbours across the road from his house. His wife Valerie had just left to take the dogs for a walk before the family went out for dinner, with Seamus’ neighbours telling him to go to Colin Glen Forest Park.

Upon his arrival he saw paramedics hard at work trying to save his wife before she was taken to hospital. However, despite the best efforts of surgeons Valerie couldn’t be saved and Seamas had to tell his children the devastating news that their mummy would not be coming home.

READ MORE: Man, 80s, dies after collision involving pedestrian and vehicle in west BelfastREAD MORE: Two men arrested as teen remains in hospital after scrambler collision

Seamus said: “It was one of my days off work, I had been in the back garden looking after the kids. It was quite sunny and warm and we had the wee swimming pool filled up and the kids had a couple of their wee friends round and were lal messing about in the pool. I had decided I was going to make a wee greenhouse out of some wood and glass that I had got together.

“Valerie was on morning shift in work and due home around 4pm or so. I was out the back, Valerie arrived home and helped me put a few pieces together then decided she wanted to take the dog on a walk. I decided also we were all going to go out for dinner that night, and when I said the dog had already been for a walk and to go have a cup of tea, she said no I’m gonna have a walk and a shower and then go out for dinner.

“I said OK, I’ll get the kids out of the pool and have them ready for when you get back. Within half an hour I heard neighbours across the street screaming my name and I looked over the fence and they said Seamus you need to go round to the forest, it’s Valerie.

“I could see two or three, what was actually four paramedics working on her on the ground.”

He continued: “I got brought up to a seperate room where surgeons came and sat me down and said Mr Armstrong your wife’s injuries are terminal there’s nothing we can do that will save her. We have three different surgeons and have seen injuries of this magnitude before in previous cases and nobody comes back from it.

“I had to go home the next day and tell our kids that mummy wasn’t coming back from the hospital. I didn’t take them down to see her when she was in ICU, I didn’t want that to be the last memory of their mum, hooked up to wires and pipes.”

Seamus’ testimony forms part of a new video aimed at tackling illegal scrambler use in Belfast that has been created by members of Colin Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) in partnership with community representatives, youth services and schools.

It forms part of Op CHICQUER, which was launched by the policing team, which as had that so far it has seen positive results with a reduction in scrambler-related incidents, not only in West Belfast but across the City, with a 29.8% reduction in incidents seen from 2023/2024 to 2024/2025.

The PSNI say Op CHICQUER demonstrates the effectiveness of community engagement and youth education through the provision of safe scrambling courses.

It is believed 70% of illegal scrambler offenders are aged 12-18.

Colin Glen NPT officer Constable William Kingsberry said: “The video outlines the intensive work we have conducted under Op CHICQUER over the past two years in an attempt to address and provide safe alternatives to illegal street scrambling in West Belfast.”

Annie Armstrong of the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership comments: “Colin Neighbourhood Partnership have, for many years, been highlighting the dangers of scramblers and other motorized vehicles in the hands of those who are not trained, insured, and not wearing the protective equipment necessary to ensure they remain safe.

“We are genuinely concerned that more members of our community could become victims of this illegal activity. We again appeal to parents and those that are involved to consider the undeniable consequences if an innocent person in our community dies or is seriously injured because of this dangerous activity.”

Last summer, the team ran a nine-week program with Cornerstone Off-Road Motorcycle Academy to educate 18 “at risk” youths on road safety.

They contacted landowners who were affected by the activity, developed a criminal justice strategy and a social media campaign which led to the printing of leaflets/posters and pull up signs.

After consultation and partnership working with local schools, youth centres, businesses and community groups – including Colin Neighbourhood Partnership – several thousand leaflets were distributed locally and the posters and signs were displayed in prominent places throughout the Colin area.

West Belfast Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey said that parents need to take responsibility in helping to end the “scourge” of illegal scrambler use.

He said following the launch of the new safety video: “This shows the consequences that illegal scrambler use can have. Seamaus, who tragically lost his wife, showed the impact of this and I know it would have been difficult for him to speak about it.

“This is a scourge in our community, a scourge on our roads and a scourge to pedestrians and it is a problem right across the city that is not isolated to West Belfast.”

Speaking at today’s launch, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, said: “This is a great example of how partnership working can really help to improve outcomes for local residents. “The video shown today is a powerful reminder of the very real impact that illegal street scrambling can have on individuals and their families. “It also underlines the continued need for all statutory agencies and community groups to engage with young people and work with them to discourage anti-social and illegal behaviours by providing more safe spaces and positive activities to get involved with.”

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