A nine-year-old boy has died and a 13-year-old is fighting for his life after their scrambler bikes crashed beside a play-park at a housing development in Northern Ireland.
The close-knit community of Dunclug, in north Ballymena, Co Antrim are said to be devastated by the collision which happened shortly before 4.55pm on Thursday.
A number of neighbours – including other children – ran to the scene after hearing screams and have been left traumatised by what they witnessed, according to local SDLP councillor Eugene Reid.
“People are in shock,” he said.
Buying a new car in 2025? These are the best ways to finance it
The best crime fiction of 2024: Robert Harris, Jane Casey, Joe Thomas, Kellye Garrett, Stuart Neville and many more
We’re heading for the second biggest fiscal disaster in the history of the State
Housing in Ireland is among the most expensive and most affordable in the EU. How does that happen?
“This is a close knit working class area, where everybody knows everybody. The two boys were the heart and soul of the community, always out and about playing. They [are] well known by everybody.”
The boy who died attended a local primary school, where pupils and staff are trying to come to terms with the tragedy.
The older boy, who is described as being critically ill in hospital, attended a local secondary school.
The pair were riding scrambler bikes on a green area next to a play-park, at the centre of four housing estates in the Dunclug area.
“It was a terrible, terrible accident,” said Mr Reid. “My heart, thoughts and prayers are with the families involved and the people who were on the scene within seconds of the accident.
“They responded as soon as they heard the screams. They could see straight away the injuries were horrific and tried to administer first aid. They have been traumatised too. It has been hugely traumatic for the whole community.”
An air ambulance lifted one of the boys to hospital.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed on Friday that the younger boy died in hospital as a result of his injuries.
A full investigation is underway, said Detective Sergeant Neil Harrison, who appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has mobile phone footage, to get in contact.