Tragic teen had yet to meet her baby brother
A CO Down teenager killed in a car crash died having never met her new baby brother, it was tragically revealed last night.
Danielle Houston, 19, died when her Renault Clio left the Katesbridge Road at Kinallen shortly before 7.30pm on Wednesday.
The former Dromore High School pupil had lived in the Kinallen area with her mother Michelle.
Last night her aunt Karen Houston said the whole family were devastated by what had happened.
"She was full of life, bubbly, a typical teenager," said Karen, who is a sister of Danielle's father Stephen, who is said to be "in an awful state" about his daughter's death.
Just four weeks ago, his partner gave birth to a little boy - Alfie.
But Danielle hadn't had the chance to go and see him, something she had been looking forward to, Karen said.
"Her 19th birthday was on June 20 and her birthday present (from her father) is still in his house.
"She hadn't even got down to give him her Father's Day card. He will never get over it."
Karen said her niece had enjoyed all the things other girls her age were into - including parties, make-up, fake tan and going out.
And she revealed that Danielle's wish was to be cremated, not buried, and she had already chosen songs to be played at her funeral - including the Garth Brooks classic, If Tomorrow Never Comes.
"She wanted everyone to be wearing something pink - not black - and she wanted a pink coffin," said Karen.
"She didn't want to be buried and put somewhere cold and dark."
The teenager is also to be buried in a pink formal dress.
Karen said that the reality of what had happened hadn't sunk in yet.
"I am going to really miss her. She was my first born niece.
"My 13-year-old son Stewart was very close to her. He was supposed to be going to Scotland but isn't now."
Danielle's funeral is understood to be taking place on Monday.
Kinallen resident Paul Stewart knew Danielle to see around the village, and said she had been "quite quiet in her ways".
A hairdresser in Parke Snips hair salon in the nearby village of Dromara, she was described by a former classmate as someone who had been a bright pupil who was "popular and well liked".
Lagan Valley DUP MLA Edwin Poots said the loss of such a young life was a "devastating blow".
He said: "Clearly our heartfelt sympathies go out to the Houston family at this time."
Ulster Unionist councillor Carol Black also expressed her sympathy to the Houston family, adding: "We seem to be burying so many of our young people at the moment.
"This is yet another wee life lost to a tragic accident."
SDLP councillor Seamus Doyle said: "This is the second fatal accident in the area within the past few weeks and another local family will have to cope with a terrible loss.
"Another young person has been cut down in the prime of her life on local roads."
Police were yesterday appealing for anyone who witnessed the accident to contact them.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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