Newry and Mourne SDLP councillor Karen McKevitt made the plea after the deaths of Frenchman Patrick Beauquis (36) and Ludmila Zimarjova, a 46-year-old Eastern European woman.

They died in a two vehicle collision north of the junction on the Old Warrenpoint Road and Warrenpoint Carriageway on the southbound lane, just outside Newry, shortly before 1pm on Saturday.

Mr Beauquis, from Dundalk, was killed instantly when his motorcycle collided with the Peugeot 406 Ms Zimarjova, from Newry, was driving.

She survived the collision and passing motorists dragged her from the car - which went up in flames shortly afterwards.

However, she later died from her injuries at Daisy Hill Hospital.

Their deaths bring to 33 the number of lives which have been lost on Ulster's roads so far this year.

Mrs McKevitt said the local community was still reeling from shock following the double tragedy and she called for "urgent road repairs" on the "dangerous stretch of road".

"It's so, so sad," she said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. It's unbelievable that this happened and people are still totally shocked and saddened."

Among the passing motorists who stopped at the scene of the accident to try to help were friends and relatives of the victims.

It is understood that Mr Beauquis wife is expecting twins and that Saturday was to be his last day driving a motorbike.

"This makes the accident even more tragic," said Mrs McKevitt.

"But I hope it will be a comfort for the victims' families to know that everyone at the scene did everything they could to help."

The SDLP councillor added that it was time for urgent action.

"I am calling for a meeting with all statutory body agencies to discuss what needs to be done at this junction," she said.

"A number of years ago, a mother and daughter lost their lives at the same spot and something needs to be done now if we're going to avoid further fatalities."

The Mayor of Newry and Mourne Michael Carr also last night extended his condolences to the families of both victims.

"I would like to pass on our deepest sympathies to the victims' families at this time," he said.

"It's an awful thing if people are visiting this country and taking this news back home."

Police in Newry were last night appealing to anyone who witnessed the accident to come forward. They can be contacted on 0845 600 8000 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.