11-year-old boy who died in Kilkeel road accident was "well liked and well loved"
An 11-year-old boy who died after a fatal car accident in Kilkeel was "well liked and well loved" according to a man whose grandaughter was in the same class.
The tragic incident happened on Tuesday before school, at 8am, on the Corcreaghan Road, Kileel.
A spokesman for the PSNI Collision Investigation Unit said: “Officers attended, alongside our colleagues from partner emergency services. Tragically, the young boy was pronounced deceased a short time later in hospital.
“Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision, and would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dash-cam or other footage which could assist with our enquiries."
Kilkeel resident Gareth Crozier told the News Letter the entire community is “just shocked” by the tragic loss.
Although he didn't know the boy personally his granddaughter did.
"He was a well liked and well loved boy and in the same primary seven class as my granddaughter," he said. "He came from a well respected family in Kilkeel."
The boy was a pupil at Kilkeel Primary School, which had school counsellors in on Wednesday to support pupils and staff.
Principal Helena McCabe said: “Our school community is deeply shocked and saddened at the tragic loss of one of our cherished pupils.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time.
"Support will be provided to pupils and staff. We are all devastated.”
A spokesperson for the Education Authority confirmed that its Critical Incident Response Team was onsite in school on Wednesday to provide "critical incident management guidance, resources and emotional support for pupils and staff, as required".
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe said she and the local community are “absolutely heartbroken” at the tragic news.
“My deepest condolences are with the entire family circle, as well as many friends, the school family and wider community who are firmly in my thoughts and prayers,” she said.
SDLP MLA for South Down, Colin McGrath, described the incident as an “absolutely heartbreaking tragedy”.
“Losing a loved one is never easy, but the loss of a young life in these circumstances is unimaginable,” he said.
Police are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage on tel 101, quoting reference 242 03/02/26, or submit information online at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/