Boy (6) dies after boating incident

A six-year-old boy who was struck at a beach in Co Down earlier this week has died.

A six-year-old boy who was struck at a beach in Co Down earlier this week has died.

Stuart Wilson suffered severe head injuries and died at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

A special prayer vigil for the youngster and his family was held last night in Rathfriland, Co Down, but his parents who had been holidaying at a caravan park at Cranfield at the time of the tragedy, did not attend.

The incident happened just before 5pm on Monday evening at Cranfield Bay, near Kilkeel.

The boy was given first aid on the beach by a lifeguard and a doctor who happened to be at the scene. Kilkeel RNLI inshore lifeboat was asked to attend, as was the local Coastguard rescue team.

He was transported to Daisy Hill hospital in Newry by ambulance and later to the Royal Victiria Hospital in Belfast.

It is understood he was being towed by a boat when he was struck by another speedboat.

The PSNI in Newry are investigating.