Derry teenager killed in Quigley’s Point crash

A 16-year-old boy has died in a single-vehicle crash at Quigley’s Point in County Donegal.

The male passenger died at the scene, the Gardaí (Irish police) said.

He is known locally as Kian Dawson from the Carnhill area of ​​Londonderry.

The driver, in his 20s, was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment to his injuries.

BBC News NI has learned that the driver of the car, also from Derry, is in a critical condition.

The accident happened on the R240 near Cross at around 11:15pm local time on Saturday.

The road was closed on Sunday morning to allow Garda Forensic Accident Investigators to examine the scene.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to contact them.

Kian played football for Don Bosco’s Football Club in Derry.

In a tribute on social media, the club said: “Our hearts are broken today”.

“We woke up this morning to the sad news that young Kian Dawson, a player in our 2007 group since he was 5 years old, sadly passed away last night following a road traffic accident in Donegal,” the message read.

In the tribute, Kian and his father were described as “an integral part” of Don Bosco’s FC.

The club further described Kian as “the most genuine, well-behaved and humble young man” and added that he was an asset to both the club and his parents.

“Kian will be forever remembered by his coaches, teammates and friends at Don Boscos. We are also thinking of you all during this heartbreaking time.”

Club activities, including training and competitions, have been cancelled for the coming week.

On the ground: BBC reporter Kevin Sharkey, in Quigley’s Point

The accident happened on a bend in a country road.

The loss of life last night is the latest in a long line of tragedies on the roads of the Inishowen Peninsula in recent years.

Many of the previous victims were from local communities.

I understand that the young people involved in this tragedy came from across the border.

There were harrowing scenes as the small car, which hit a bridge, was lifted from the crash site and taken away on the back of a truck, escorted by police.

A heartbreaking event, just one day after two young friends went for a ride together.

Inishowen Councillor Terry Crossan called the news of the crash “heartbreaking”.

“Here in Inishowen it’s happened so many times, time and time again, absolute tragedies… It’s something you don’t want to think about,” he told BBC News NI.

“We’ve had quite a few accidents, all in roughly the same area.”

The community of Inishowen will offer their prayers and sincere condolences, Mr Crossan added.

“This will have consequences for the entire community and once the names of the victims come out, it will hit even harder,” he said.

“There’s not much you can say. You just pray for them and hope they overcome this tragedy.”

In another accident in County Donegal on Sunday morning, three people were taken to hospital after a two-car collision.

It happened around 9:00 am local time in Inver.

According to Gardaí, the road remains closed and local diversions have been put in place.