A MOTHER has spoken of her heartache after her seven-year-old son was killed in a three-car crash in Co Antrim shortly after celebrating Christmas.
Jackson Turner died in hospital following the St Stephen's Day collision in which seven others were injured, including his four-year-old sister.
He was among six people who tragically lost their lives on roads across Ireland since Christmas Day.
The schoolboy was also the second seven-year-old killed on the north's roads in the space of a week.
Police said the crash, involving two Nissan cars and a Citroen, took place at about 6.30pm on Old Carrick Road, Newtownabbey.
It is understood Jackson was in a car with his sister Ally and grandmother, who was driving.
They were travelling towards Carrickfergus when the collision happened involving two vehicles travelling in the other direction.
His grandmother was yesterday said to still be in hospital with serious injuries while his sister "was less seriously hurt".
Five people from the two other cars sustained injuries that are not thought to be life threatening.
Jackson's distraught mother Lynsey Turner yesterday expressed her grief on Facebook.
In a heartfelt message she wrote: "My wee man is gone. I am just so broken right now. See you alligator, xx."
Just days earlier Ms Turner had shared online treasured photographs of her youngsters enjoying the build-up to Christmas.
Several photos show Jackson and his sister with beaming smiles as they sit on Santa's knee at Titanic Belfast.
Jackson was a P4 pupil at Sunnylands Primary School in Carrickfergus.
Principal Gareth Hamilton told how he enjoyed school life and recently played a king in their nativity show.
"Jackson was a wee boy who just loved to be actively involved in everything," he said.
"He was a lovely big brother to his wee sister. He would be seen walking hand in hand with his sister and walking her to class.
"He was a caring big brother. The entire school community is devastated."
Mr Hamilton added that counselling services and support would be offered to any pupils affected by the tragedy.
The tragedy came just days after a road crash claimed the life of another seven-year-old boy.
Ryan McGovern died after being knocked down on Lattone Road, between the villages of Belcoo and Garrison in Co Fermanagh, on Sunday December 20.
The keen young boxer and GAA player was fondly remembered as an "inspirational young boy".
Mourners at his funeral were told how he had recently helped country singer Nathan Carter perform a well-known number in Enniskillen.
Two pedestrians were also knocked down and killed in separate crashes in west Belfast and Co Down within 12 hours last week.
A total of 73 people have died on the north's roads during 2015, compared to last year's total of 77.
There were also several tragedies on the roads in the south over Christmas.
A 38-year-old man died yesterday morning after his car went into a flooded area near the Grand Canal in Co Offaly.
On St Stephen's Day a 20-year-old woman died when her car hit a wall at about 4.50pm at Camblin, New Ross, Co Wexford.
Just hours earlier an 18-year-old, named locally as Feargal O'Reilly, was killed when his car was involved in a collision with a truck and another car in Kilcogy, Co Cavan.
A 29-year-old pedestrian died after he was hit by a vehicle in Gorteengrone, Co Carlow, on Christmas Day.
And 16-year-old Warren Kenny from Dublin was killed on Christmas morning in a crash involving two scrambler motorbikes received as presents.
