Northern Ireland

Boy (6) dies after being struck by car in Newtownards

Police at the scene in Newtownards after a boy was killed after being hit by a car. Picture by Declan Roughan <br />&nbsp;
Police at the scene in Newtownards after a boy was killed after being hit by a car. Picture by Declan Roughan
 
Police at the scene in Newtownards after a boy was killed after being hit by a car. Picture by Declan Roughan
 

A SIX-year-old boy who died after he was knocked down on a busy road in Newtownards has been named as Joshua Kelly.

The boy was knocked down by a car close to Model Primary School on Scrabo Road in the town at around 3.20pm on Wednesday.

It is understood he was a pupil at St Finian's Primary School in Newtownards.

Gina Cully, who lives nearby, said her husband Craig was walking home when he saw the immediate aftermath of the accident.

"He said the wee schoolbag was lying there on the road and there was blood everywhere," she said.

"It's terrible, horrible."

It is understood the boy was taken to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald but was later pronounced dead.

Police appealed for information about the crash. Scrabo Road was sealed off on Wednesday night

SDLP councillor Joe Boyle extended his condolences to the young boy's family.

"It's every parent's nightmare - a child who has only started school to have his life cut short," he said.

"My thoughts are with the family. I am sure people in the borough will rally round and support them."

Meanwhile, a five-year-old girl escaped with minor injuries after she was knocked down in Bangor, Co Down, at about 5.30pm on Wednesday.

The child was knocked down at Lisnabreen Crescent. She was later treated for a cut to her head.

In Co Monaghan, a 70-year-old man died after he was hit by a car on the N2 at Killmarley - about two miles south of Monaghan town.

The crash happened at about 6pm on Wednesday.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.