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Boy dies in quad bike accident Boy dies in quad bike accident
(about 3 hours 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 after the quad bike they were on crashed 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 was Paddy McErlean who lived a short distance from where the crash happened.
It is understood the boys were travelling along the quiet, rural road when they crashed into a post and were both thrown from the quad.
Ann Scott, the head teacher at Paddy's school, St Patrick's College, said everyone was finding it hard to come to terms with the teenager's death.
"This tragic accident really has brought a profound sense of loss to the school.
"The loss of Paddy, who was only 14, has just shocked everybody at the college," she said.
"He really contributed a lot to the school, he was full of life, he was such a lovely young lad, very popular with the staff and pupils and we will really miss him so terribly."
SDLP Maghera councillor Kathleen Lagan said she knew the McErlean family very well and described the boy's death as "utterly heart-wrenching".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''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.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.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.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 laidChildren 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.