Urgent prayer appeal launched for tragic Hannah Smyth (5) - 'next 24- hours critical' for youngster whose mum and sister were killed in quad bike collision

The appeal for prayer is made by the minister of Ballycastle Presbyterian, Rev John Stanbridge.

The impassioned appeal for prayer is made in a post on Aghadowey Presbyterian Church Facebook page.

"Hi Everyone

"Just off the phone with the Smyth family and they have asked for immediate prayer for Hannah who remains in a critical condition.

"Family have been told that the next 24-72 hours will be crucial.

"Prayer for only what God can do, a miracle of healing, body and mind for Hannah.

"Please let’s pray, pray, pray

""

Earlier police investigating the tragic road traffic collision which killed a mother and daughter near Ballycastle have made a new appeal for information.

Clare Smyth and her three-year-old daughter Bethany died instantly when the quad bike they were travelling on collided with a tractor on the Whitepark on the afternoon of May 12.

Her eldest daughter Hannah, aged five, was also involved in the crash and had to undergo life-saving surgery at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital. Police have confirmed that she remains in a critical condtion.

Inspector Moore said: “At around 4:50pm, the collision involved a quad bike and a tractor. Tragically a woman and a young girl, understood to be mother and daughter, died following the incident. A second young girl was taken to hospital and remains in a critical condition.

“The Whitepark Road was closed until the early hours of Wednesday 13th May and subsequently re-opened to traffic.

“We are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or who captured the collision on their dash-cam to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1392 12/05/20.”