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Family 'numbed by double tragedy' Family 'numbed by double tragedy'
(38 minutes 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 is 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.
Parish priest Father Martin McArdle said the family and community were "numbed" by what had happened.
"There are no words to express how anybody feels," he said.
"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."
It is understood Darren, a keen GAA player, was returning from college after completing a GCSE exam when the accident happened.
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.
The McNicholl family runs a caravan business in The Loup.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 by family and friends.
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 are 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 Environment Minister
"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. Darren and Natasha are survived by their three other sisters Shauneen, Aisling and Leanne.
"The family are devastated, the community is numb," he said.
"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.
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.