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Youth dies in quad crash

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Paddy McErlean
A 14-year-old boy has died and a 16-year-old is in a critical condition after an accident involving a quad bike in Co Londonderry.

Paddy McErlean, 14, was on the machine with a friend when they collided with a post on the quiet and rural Craigmore Road, Maghera.

The death of the teenager was the third tragedy to hit his family in three years.

His father Joe died three years ago and his uncle earlier this year. Paddy attended St Patrick's College in the town with his two brothers, Oisin in year 12 and Conleith in year 9.

Principal Anne Scott said: "He was very lovely, just a nice wee lad. He was lovely looking with bright eyes and a smiling face.

"We are finding it very tough, the pupils at the school are devastated, we had special reflection time for each of the three classes (of the three brothers). The children are distraught, many of them are inconsolable."

Paddy's mother Collette is being comforted by friends at home, a short distance from where the accident happened.

Police are working to establish the circumstances behind the crash which happened at around 10pm on Thursday night.

The injured 16-year-old is being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

"This is the most traumatic experience any parent, any person, can possibly got through", SDLP Maghera councillor Kathleen Lagan, who knows the family, said.

"My heart goes out to the family. Unfortunately, the family has suffered its fair share of tragedy in the past and I would like to offer my extreme sympathies and condolences to them. It is utterly heart-wrenching."

Sinn Fein Maghera councillor Sean Kerr said the collision happened on the edge of town on a narrow road in atrocious weather conditions.

"It is a terrible tragedy all round, the town is basically in shock," he said.

"He is from a very well-known and well-respected local family."

© UTV News

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At 10:40 on 30 November 2009, cathal cassidy wrote:
R.I.P WEE MAN U WERE A LEGEND
At 10:34 on 30 November 2009, cathal cassidy wrote:
he was a legend
At 22:57 on 22 November 2009, Brenda Sweeney wrote:
Rest in peace Paddy. Such a tragedy to everyone, miss you sooo much, it's just so hard to take in xxxx. You'll NEVER be forgotton. R.I.P
At 01:31 on 21 November 2009, Maghera Boys wrote:
RIP Paddy Wee Man, so tragically took away from us, you didnt deserve to go. rest in peace and you will never be forgotten xxx
At 23:45 on 20 November 2009, paul wrote:
This is a tragedy that no one wants at any time of the year. Especially coming up to Christmas. My thoughts go to the family and his school friends. Maybe it is time we had dedicated areas for using these Quads instead of public roads, similar the BMX bikes.
At 23:42 on 20 November 2009, john mcguigan wrote:
prayers and thoughs with the familys involved in this terrible accident ....A prayer will be said in or local chapel in brisbane Au
At 18:04 on 20 November 2009, BARRY POLLARD wrote:
a lovely generous young lad that i had the pleasure of knowing, our prayers are with his mother and two brothers, god bless
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