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Family 'numbed by double tragedy' | Family 'numbed by double tragedy' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A teenage boy who died alongside his sister in a car crash in County Londonderry on Tuesday had just finished a GCSE exam. | A teenage boy who died alongside his sister in a car crash in County Londonderry on Tuesday had just finished a GCSE exam. |
He was 16-year-old Darren McNicholl. It's understood his 20-year-old sister, Natasha, was driving the car. | He was 16-year-old Darren McNicholl. It's understood his 20-year-old sister, Natasha, was driving the car. |
The two-car crash happened on the Ballymulligan Road outside Moneymore shortly before 1330 BST on Tuesday. | The two-car crash happened on the Ballymulligan Road outside Moneymore shortly before 1330 BST on Tuesday. |
Two of the four people in the other car were treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries. | Two of the four people in the other car were treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries. |
It's understood Darren, a keen GAA player, was returning from tech after completing a GCSE exam when the accident happened. | It's understood Darren, a keen GAA player, was returning from tech after completing a GCSE exam when the accident happened. |
The McNicholl family runs a caravan business in The Loup. | |
Darren and Natasha's parents, Mickey and Colette, were being comforted last night by family and friends. | Darren and Natasha's parents, Mickey and Colette, were being comforted last night by family and friends. |
Darren and Natasha are survived by their three other sisters Shauneen, Aisling and Leanne. | Darren and Natasha are survived by their three other sisters Shauneen, Aisling and Leanne. |
SDLP Councillor Mary Baker, a neighbour of the family, has known the two young people since they were children. | SDLP Councillor Mary Baker, a neighbour of the family, has known the two young people since they were children. |
"They were so full of life, just like everyone at that age and full of personality," she said. | "They were so full of life, just like everyone at that age and full of personality," she said. |
"I have called with the family and they absolutely distraught. They are sitting about, just in a dream or a nightmare. | "I have called with the family and they absolutely distraught. They are sitting about, just in a dream or a nightmare. |
There have been 52 people killed so far this year - that's 52 too many Sammy Wilson | There have been 52 people killed so far this year - that's 52 too many Sammy Wilson |
"Darren was finishing an exam yesterday. He was a fun loving boy, always out kicking football. | "Darren was finishing an exam yesterday. He was a fun loving boy, always out kicking football. |
"Natasha was a beautiful girl. She had just finished her accountancy exams at university." | "Natasha was a beautiful girl. She had just finished her accountancy exams at university." |
Ms Baker said it was "a terribly sad loss, just the worst kind possible". | Ms Baker said it was "a terribly sad loss, just the worst kind possible". |
Parish priest Fr Martin McArdle said the family and community was struggling to come to terms with what has happened. | Parish priest Fr Martin McArdle said the family and community was struggling to come to terms with what has happened. |
"The family are devastated, the community is numb," he said. | "The family are devastated, the community is numb," he said. |
"There are no words to express how anybody feels. | "There are no words to express how anybody feels. |
"Any father and mother will fear what it is like to lose a child, but to lose two in the one afternoon, a matter of moments after they spoke to them... everyone is in shock," said Fr McArdle. | "Any father and mother will fear what it is like to lose a child, but to lose two in the one afternoon, a matter of moments after they spoke to them... everyone is in shock," said Fr McArdle. |
The two deaths bring the number of people killed on Northern Ireland's roads so far this year to 52. | The two deaths bring the number of people killed on Northern Ireland's roads so far this year to 52. |
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson appealed for road users to be more careful following the latest double tragedy. | Environment Minister Sammy Wilson appealed for road users to be more careful following the latest double tragedy. |
"The deaths show how quickly normality can turn to tragedy," he said. | "The deaths show how quickly normality can turn to tragedy," he said. |
"Road deaths are a continuing scourge on society that we need to make every effort to bring to an end. | "Road deaths are a continuing scourge on society that we need to make every effort to bring to an end. |
"There have been 52 people killed so far this year - that's 52 too many. At the same period last year there were 43 road deaths - that's 43 too many." | "There have been 52 people killed so far this year - that's 52 too many. At the same period last year there were 43 road deaths - that's 43 too many." |
Mr Wilson added that 41 of the fatalities so far this year have happened in rural areas. | Mr Wilson added that 41 of the fatalities so far this year have happened in rural areas. |