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Boy dies in quad bike accident | Boy dies in quad bike accident |
(30 minutes later) | |
A 14-year-old boy has been killed and a 16-year-old boy critically injured following a collision involving a quad bike in County Londonderry. | A 14-year-old boy has been killed and a 16-year-old boy critically injured following a collision involving a quad bike in County Londonderry. |
It happened on the Craigmore Road in Maghera at about 2200 GMT on Thursday. | It happened on the Craigmore Road in Maghera at about 2200 GMT on Thursday. |
The boy who died has been named locally as Paddy McErlean and it is believed the quad was the only vehicle involved. | The boy who died has been named locally as Paddy McErlean and it is believed the quad was the only vehicle involved. |
SDLP Maghera councillor Kathleen Lagan said she knew the McErlean family very well and described the boy's death as "utterly heart-wrenching". | |
It is understood that the boys were travelling along the quiet, rural road - a short distance from Paddy McErlean's home - when they collided with a post and were both thrown from the quad bike. | |
'Traumatic experience' | |
The 16-year-old was treated in the Antrim Area Hospital after the accident but he has since been transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. | |
Paddy's mother and two brothers are being comforted by relatives. | |
Councillor Lagan said: "This is the most traumatic experience any parent, any person, can possibly got through and my heart goes out to the family. | |
Children visited the scene of the crash where floral tributes have been laid | |
"I know that the community, who hold the young boy and his family in such high esteem, will gather around and offer help or support during the tough times ahead. | "I know that the community, who hold the young boy and his family in such high esteem, will gather around and offer help or support during the tough times ahead. |
"It may be of little consolation to the family but it shows just how well they are thought of in the community." | "It may be of little consolation to the family but it shows just how well they are thought of in the community." |
Ms Lagan also said she hoped the other boy injured in the incident would make a speedy and full recovery. | Ms Lagan also said she hoped the other boy injured in the incident would make a speedy and full recovery. |
Sinn Fein Councillor, Sean Kerr, who went to the scene of the accident on Thursday night said his immediate thoughts were with the two families. | Sinn Fein Councillor, Sean Kerr, who went to the scene of the accident on Thursday night said his immediate thoughts were with the two families. |
"One is facing an awful bereavement as they come up to Christmas, and then the other family, who are the bedside of the young boy that was injured. | "One is facing an awful bereavement as they come up to Christmas, and then the other family, who are the bedside of the young boy that was injured. |
"I also think we need to think about the young people who were there at the time, it must have been a very traumatic experience for them," he said. | "I also think we need to think about the young people who were there at the time, it must have been a very traumatic experience for them," he said. |