Ballymena: Nine-year-old boy dies in scrambler bike crash

The crash happened on Thursday evening in the Dunclug area of Ballymena

A nine-year-old boy has died after two scrambler bikes collided in Ballymena, County Antrim.

A second boy, 13, is understood to be critically injured in hospital after the crash in the Dunclug area on Thursday.

The bikes are believed to have collided head-on near a park at about 16:55 BST.

People living nearby ran to help the two children before emergency services arrived. The air ambulance was among three emergency crews that responded.

Both boys were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where the nine year old died as a result of his injuries.

Police said a full investigation had begun and asked that anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward.

'There are not the words'

Fr Patrick Delargy, parish priest of All Saints' Church in Ballymena, knows both boys' families.

He visited the nine-year-old's home on Friday morning and said the family was in shock.

Fr Patrick Delargy said he found it "hard to find the right words" when he spoke to the bereaved family

"They were totally exhausted, they were coming back from hospital," he said.

"They find it very hard to process the whole matter."

Fr Delargy added: "There are not the words, I find it very hard to find the right words to say in those situations."

He said he prayed with the family and felt it brought them some comfort.

Fr Delargy said it had been suggested to him that a memorial should be held on the spot where the crash took place.

"It would be a good idea to have something there to remember the boy, and please God, the other little boy recovers," he said.

"It would help people very much."

Residents 'traumatised'

SDLP councillor Eugene Reid said the boy's death would come as a "huge shock to the local tight-knit community".

Councillor Eugene Reid said local residents who ran to help the boys were "traumatised"

"To lose a child, especially in these circumstances, is just horrendous and my thoughts are with the child's family as they struggle to cope with the worst news imaginable for a parent," he said.

"I would like to express my sympathies with the other child involved in this incident and their family. I know the whole community will join me in wishing them a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with them as they receive medical treatment."

Mr Reid praised the emergency services for their response and he also thanked local residents who tried to help the boys before ambulances arrived.

He said he had spoken to the residents who were "traumatised" by the incident, as many of the knew the children involved.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alliance Party Alderman Noel Williams, said he was "devastated" by the fatal crash.

"I am deeply saddened by the news that a young boy has passed away following yesterday evening's incident and I wish to offer my condolences to his family.

"My thoughts and prayers are with both families and I ask that they are given the space they need at this very difficult time."

Flowers have been left near the scene of the fatal crash

Democratic Unionist Party North Antrim MP Ian Paisley said the families were "foremost in our prayers".

"The accident involving children last evening in Ballymena is very worrying," he said.

"To the young people and families involved like everyone our thoughts are with them."