Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning mail newsletter for FREE See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy SOPHIA STANFORD, NEWS REPORTER Published: 19:47 BST, 20 July 2026 | Updated: 20:32 BST, 20 July 2026
A family have paid tribute to their 'lovely' daughter after she was involved in a horrific car crash in Co Antrim that killed two people.Natasha Gove, 31, from the Ballyclare area, died following the incident involving a van in the Glenariffe area of Ballymena on Saturday.Her stepfather, David, told loved ones on Facebook on Sunday that 'it is with great heartache and sadness that I have to post that our daughter Natasha Gove passed away last night'.He added that Tash, as she was also known as, was a passenger in a Ford Transit Custom van and has asked friends to share the news of her passing.'Please allow my family to grieve and deal with this tragedy. RIP Tash Gove,' he wrote. More than 200 heartbroken friends and family responded with messages of condolences and tributes to the young woman, who was described as 'lovely'.One person wrote: 'So so sad. Tasha made everyone smile, always so full of life. Great wee character and will be sadly missed. Thinking of you all.'Another said: 'Aaawww nooo!!! I am so so sorry to hear this. We knew Tash from a little girl. I am heartbroken for you all. Thinking of you and her mum, her family and the family circle at this very sad time.' Natasha Gove, 31, from the Ballyclare area, died following a horrific car crash in the Glenariffe area of Ballymena Devastated loved ones said Tash did not have 'a bad bone in her body' and 'was the most funny loving person'One replied: 'Terrible news, Tash was the most funny, loving person. Sending love to you all.' Another said: 'Gone too soon. Many a night she had me in tears of laughter playing cards in your kitchen. Condolences to you Claire and family. Rest in peace Tash.'One commenter said: 'I honestly have no words right now. life is so unfair & cruel. I’m sending so much love to everyone... She really was a lovely girl inside & out. not a bad bone in her body.'A 41-year-old man, who has not been named, also passed away following the collision.A police spokesperson said they received a report of the crash involving a silver Ford Transit Custom van in the Glenariffe Road area shortly before 9.10pm.'Officers, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended,' the force said.'The occupants of the van, a 41-year-old man, and 31-year-old woman, were both sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.'No other injuries were reported. The Glenariffe Road, which was closed for a time, has since fully reopened.'Our inquiries are continuing, and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have any information which could assist with our investigation, including dash-cam or other footage, to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 1423 18/07/26.'
