Road fatality in Donegal: Mourning for teenager in tragic road accident

Condolences are pouring in for a teenager who died in a car crash in County Donegal over the weekend.

16-year-old Kian Dawson died in the accident on the R240 in Cross on Saturday evening around 11.15 p.m.

The man, from County Derry, was in the passenger seat of the car which reportedly crashed into a bridge on the country road on the Inishowen Peninsula.

The driver of the car, a man in his twenties, was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast with serious injuries.

In a Facebook post, Kian's football club Don Bosco described him as “the most sincere, well-mannered and humble young guy you could meet.”

“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 in a road accident in Donegal last night,” they wrote.

“Kian and his father Emmett – a coach with our 2007 team – have been an integral part of our club for many years and have given us many wonderful and happy memories that we will cherish forever.

“Kian was the most sincere, well-mannered and humble young man one could meet.

“He was a credit to Don Bosco, but even more importantly to his mother and father, Fiona and Emmett.”

Out of respect, the club has cancelled all club activities for this week, including training and games.

Kian was a Year 12 student at St. Columb's College in County Derry.

School principal Caroline McLaughlin said the community was “really saddened” by his death.

“Exciting and popular”

She described Kian as “a likeable and popular student who made friends easily because of his personality.”

“It should come as no surprise that he had a large circle of friends,” she said.

“Kian was just about to start his dream career as a hairdresser, for which he developed a talent this year.

“He was very respected by his classmates and the staff who worked with him. He will be greatly missed by his classmates and teachers.”

Mark Durkan, SDLP MP for Foyle, said his thoughts were with Kian's family, friends and everyone who knew him as he was hit hard by the reality of having lost this beautiful boy forever.

“May they find strength in each other and in all of us to get through this terrible time,” he wrote.

crash

Meanwhile, three more people were injured in another accident in Donegal over the weekend.

It happened on Sunday shortly before 9am in Inver.

A woman in her 80s was hospitalized with serious injuries, while a man (50s) and a woman (40s) are being treated for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

The road remained closed this morning while Gardaí continued their investigations.

They are asking witnesses to come forward – especially road users who were in the area between 8.30 and 9 a.m. and may have camera footage.