A BOY aged eight has died following a two-vehicle collision in Co. Down on Saturday.
The youngster was pronounced dead at the scene following the incident on the Aughnacloy Road near Banbridge at around 5.30pm yesterday.
Three other people who sustained injuries in the collision – another child, a man and a woman – were rushed to hospital and are believed to be in a serious condition.
Upper Bann MLAs Dolores Kelly (SDLP) and Carla Lockhart (DUP) offered their condolences in the wake of the tragic news.
More dreadful news as a result of a RTC, thoughts and prayers with the family and friends of those bereaved and injured as they try to live through this nightmare .
— Dolores Kelly (@doloreskelly) July 22, 2018
Sad to say that there has now been a confirmed fatality of a child in this incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and drivers involved in this terrible accident. https://t.co/Wmn5szceBL
— Carla Lockhart (@carlalockhart) July 21, 2018
John O'Dowd, Sinn Fein MLA for Upper Bann, said: “As a father of young children myself my thoughts and prayers go out to the young boys parents and family.
“This terrible accident has also left several other people seriously injured and they too are in our thoughts and prayers. I have no doubt the local community will rally around the bereaved at this time.”
The incident reportedly involved a silver Audi Q3 and a silver Ford Focus.
The road has since reopened however the PSNI have appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.
Inspector Gregory Beckett said: “Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dashcam footage to contact local officers in Lurgan or the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting reference 994 21/07/18.”
