Police are investigating a possible link between the body of teenager found near Belfast City Hospital, and a car crash that happened over four miles away less than half-an-hour earlier.
Officers were called around 2.30am on Sunday morning to reports of a crash at a roundabout on Ballygowan Road in Castlereagh, just south of Belfast.
When they arrived they found a silver Mercedes on its roof in the undergrowth and an injured man, who was taken to hospital in an ambulance.
Minutes later, at 2.55am, officers were informed by the ambulance service that they had found the body of a 17-year-old girl near Belfast City Hospital.
Police believe there is a link between the two incidents, but do not know how the girl’s body travelled more than four miles in a short space of time. It is roughly a 15-minute drive to the hospital from the crash site.
Chief Inspector Michael Gregg said: “Our investigation is at an early stage, however, we believe there is a link between the collision on Ballygowan Road in the vicinity of its junction with Manse Road, and the discovery of the teenager’s body.”
A post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death is yet to be carried out.
A substantial police presence could be seen near Belfast City Hospital after the body was found, with officers remaining in the area well into Sunday morning.
Appealing for information from the public, Chief Insp Gregg said: “We need to know how this young girl was brought to the hospital, by whom and from where.
“Were you in the Manse Road area or general Ballygowan area between 1am and 2.30am?
“Did you see a car matching the description of the silver Mercedes? Did you witness the collision? Did you see any other vehicles in the time after the collision, including a grey MG?
“If you were on the road at these times, please think back to what you may have seen. It’s important we can track the movement of the vehicle involved to help us establish what happened.”
An area around Dunluce Avenue, near the hospital, had been cordoned off with police tape, with officers on the scene.
Chief Insp Gregg said anyone with information should contact the police non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 227 of 24/03/19, or get in touch with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.