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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 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 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". |
'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 laid | 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. |