Girl, 12, dies after being hit by car as she got off school bus
The collision happened outside the village of Castledawson in Co Londonderry on Wednesday afternoon, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.
The girl was hit by the car after exiting the bus on the Hillhead Road shortly after 4pm.
A PSNI spokesperson said: 'There was a large number of people in the vicinity at the time who may have recorded video footage of the scene.
'I would ask anyone with footage not to share it on social media, but instead forward it to police through the Major Incident Public Portal.
'This footage will be of great assistance to officers investigating the collision.'
The Hillhead Road was closed following the collision but it had reopened by Thursday morning.
A spokesperson for Northern Ireland's Education Authority (EA) said: 'We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of a pupil following a road traffic incident which occurred on the Hillhead Road, outside Castledawson yesterday afternoon.
'Our sincere condolences are with the family, friends, fellow pupils and staff at the school, and all those affected by this tragic incident.
'The EA's Critical Incident Response Team are supporting the school during this difficult time and will provide emotional support to both students and staff.
'We would kindly ask that the family, school and wider community are afforded the time and space to grieve this unimaginable loss.
'A PSNI investigation into the serious collision is ongoing.'
Local councillor for the area Denise Johnston said the community was heartbroken.
'We are so very saddened by the news that another young girl from Castledawson has died,' said the SDLP representative.
'The community is in absolute shock at this tragedy.
'Our children are so precious to us, there is no pain greater than losing them.
'This is every parent's worst nightmare and I cannot even imagine what they are going through at this time.
'My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this girl and everyone who knew her. I know the good people of Castledawson will rally around them in the days and weeks ahead to support them as they come to terms with this devastating loss.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI say death of woman (30s) found beside burning car not believed to be suspicious
The remains were discovered in the Rylagh Road area of Omagh on Saturday. Independent councillor Josephine Deehan said the 'tranquil' rural community has been left 'horrified and distressed' following the incident. A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "The person who died following a vehicle fire outside Omagh on Saturday afternoon, 2nd August, has been confirmed as a female in her 30s. 'A post-mortem has concluded and family has been informed. At this stage, her death is not believed to be suspicious.' Ms Deehan said: "There is very distressing news from Omagh over the weekend and sadly appears to be that a woman has lost her life in a fire, which involved a car in the Rylagh Road. "As this tragedy unfolds, our main thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman at this time, in lieu of the horrific circumstances of this woman's death. "They are in our thoughts and prayers. "Our community is deeply shocked, that this has happened in a tranquil rural area. "We don't know the full detail surrounding the case. Police are confident they are dealing with arson. "I hope that we will have answers soon for the family in particular, and the community who are horrified and distressed. "It is a very tragic situation, and police are appealing to the public for any information.' PSNI officers and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene shortly after 2pm on Saturday, where they found a silver Mitsubishi Lancer GS2 on fire. The blaze was extinguished by the fire service. In an earlier statement the PSNI said it was working to ascertain how the victim came to be next to the burning car. 'As fire officers extinguished the blaze they discovered that, tragically, a person had died as a result of the fire,' said Detective Inspector Keon. 'We are treating this fire as arson, and our enquiries as to how the person came to be beside the vehicle are ongoing. 'We would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area between midday and 2.15pm yesterday, who may have noticed anything suspicious, to contact us. 'We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who had dashcam or other footage and would also like to hear from anyone who may have noticed this particular vehicle.'
Belfast Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Woman's body discovered beside car after arson attack
The remains were discovered in the Rylagh Road area of Omagh on Saturday. The name of the deceased has not yet been revealed, but the victim has been confirmed to be a woman. Independent councillor Josephine Deehan said the 'tranquil' rural community have been left 'horrified and distressed'. "There is very distressing news from Omagh over the weekend and sadly appears to be that a woman has lost her life in a fire, which involved a car in the Rylagh Road,' said the Omagh representative. "As this tragedy unfolds, our main thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman at this time, in lieu of the horrific circumstances of this woman's death. "They are in our thoughts and prayers. "Our community is deeply shocked, that this has happened in a tranquil rural area. "We don't know the full detail surrounding the case. Police are confident they are dealing with arson. "I hope that we will have answers soon for the family in particular, and the community who are horrified and distressed. "It is a very tragic situation, and police are appealing to the public for any information.' PSNI officers and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene shortly after 2pm on Saturday, where they found a silver Mitsubishi Lancer GS2 on fire. The blaze was extinguished by the fire service. Police have said they are treating the fire as arson and are working to ascertain how the victim came to be next to the burning car. 'As fire officers extinguished the blaze they discovered that, tragically, a person had died as a result of the fire,' said Detective Inspector Keon. 'We are treating this fire as arson, and our enquiries as to how the person came to be beside the vehicle are ongoing. 'We would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area between midday and 2.15pm yesterday, who may have noticed anything suspicious, to contact us. 'We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who had dashcam or other footage and would also like to hear from anyone who may have noticed this particular vehicle.'
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Disturbing incident': PSNI probe circumstances surrounding body found in burning car after arson attack
latest | An MLA has said that a Co Tyrone community has been left in shock after a person died following a 'disturbing incident" linked to an arson attack on a car. Police are investigating the sudden death with occurred in Omagh yesterday. The person has not yet been named and the PSNI are working to discover how the deceased came to be beside the burning car. SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said: 'This is a deeply disturbing incident that has shocked the local community. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the person who has so tragically lost their life.' The West Tyrone MLA added: 'It is heartbreaking that someone has died in such harrowing circumstances. People in the area are understandably anxious and looking for answers. 'It is critical that anyone with information – no matter how small – reports it to the PSNI. "The victim's family deserves truth and justice. I will be following developments closely and supporting efforts to ensure a full investigation.' Mr McCrossan commended the swift response of emergency services and reiterated the need for calm and cooperation as the investigation continues. Detective Inspector Keon said: 'Just before 2.05pm, we received a report from our colleagues in Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service that a vehicle – a silver Mitsubishi Lancer GS2 - was on fire in the Rylagh Road area of the town. 'As fire officers extinguished the blaze they discovered that, tragically, a person had died as a result of the fire. 'We are treating this fire as arson, and our enquiries as to how the person came to be beside the vehicle are ongoing. Storm Floris to bring 'unseasonably strong winds' to parts of UK 'We would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area between midday and 2.15pm yesterday, who may have noticed anything suspicious, to contact us. 'We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who had dashcam or other footage and would also like to hear from anyone who may have noticed this particular vehicle.'
