Girl, 11, dies after being struck by car after exiting schoolbus

An 11-year-old girl has died following a crash in County Londonderry.

The girl was struck by a car after exiting a schoolbus on the Hillhead Road, Castledawson, shortly after 16:00 GMT on Wednesday, police said.

The road was closed for a following the collision, but has since reopened.

Insp Adair, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said: “There was a large number of people in the vicinity at the time who may have recorded video footage of the scene.”

Police have appealed for those with footage not to share it on social media, but instead forward it to them through the Major Incident Public Portal.

SDLP councillor Denise Johnston said the community is in “absolute shock”.

“We are so very saddened by the news that another young girl from Castledawson has died,” she said.

There is “no pain greater” than losing a child, she added.

“This is every parent’s worst nightmare.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and I know the good people of Castledawson will rally around them in the days and weeks ahead.”