Derry teenager killed in car crash in Quigley's Point

A 16-year-old boy has died in a car accident in Quigley's Point, County Donegal.

The male passenger died at the scene of the accident, the Gardaí (Irish police) said.

His local name is Kian Dawson from the Carnhill area of ​​Londonderry.

The driver, a man in his twenties, was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment of his injuries.

BBC News NI has learned that the driver of the car, also from Derry, is in a critical condition.

The accident occurred on Saturday at around 11:15 p.m. local time on the R240 near Cross.

The road was closed on Sunday morning to allow Garda forensic investigators to examine the scene of the accident.

The Gardaí are asking all witnesses to come forward.

Kian played football for Don Bosco’s football club in Derry.

In a tribute on social media, the club said: “Our hearts ache today.”

“We awoke this morning to the sad news that young Kian Dawson, a player in our 2007 group since the age of five, passed away last night in a road accident in Donegal,” the post said.

In the tribute, Kian and his father were described as an “integral part” of Don Bosco’s FC.

The club also described Kian as “the most genuine, well-mannered and humble young lad”, adding that he is a credit to both the club and his parents.

“His coaches, teammates and friends at Don Boscos will remember Kian forever. We are also thinking of all of you during this heartbreaking time.”

All club activities, including training and games, have been cancelled for the coming week.

On location: BBC reporter Kevin Sharkey in Quigley's Point

The accident occurred next to a wide curve on a country road.

The loss of life here last night is the latest in a long line of tragedies on the roads of the Inishowen Peninsula in recent years.

Many of the victims so far have come from local communities.

As far as I know, the young people involved in this tragedy had come from across the border.

There were poignant scenes as the small car, which had crashed into a bridge, was lifted from the scene and taken away on the back of a truck under Garda escort.

A heartbreaking result just one day after two young friends went for a car ride together.

Inishowen councillor Terry Crossan said news of the crash was “absolutely heartbreaking”.

“Out here in Inishowen this has happened so many times, over and over again, absolute tragedies… You can't even think about it,” he told BBC News NI.

“We have had our fair share [of accidents]all in almost the same area.”

The community of Inishowen will pray for the deceased and offer its deepest condolences, Mr Crossan added.

“This will impact the entire community and every time the names of the victims come to light it will hit us even harder,” he said.

“There is not much you can say, all you can do is pray for them and hope that they survive this tragedy.”

In another accident in County Donegal on Sunday morning, three people were taken to hospital after a collision between two cars.

It happened around 09:00 local time in Inver.

Gardaí said the road remained closed but local diversions had been put in place.