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Tributes paid to schoolgirl (6) killed in Co Down crash

Ella Trainor (6) from the Hilltown area of Co Down died following a road crash on Saturday
Ella Trainor (6) from the Hilltown area of Co Down died following a road crash on Saturday Ella Trainor (6) from the Hilltown area of Co Down died following a road crash on Saturday

A SIX-YEAR-OLD girl killed in a road crash in Co Down has been described as a "little angel". Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to Ella Trainor from the Hilltown area after she died in a collision near Newry on Saturday.

Ella was described as "such a beautiful little girl" whose death has left her parents Marty and Susan and elder sister Aoife "absolutely devastated".

The schoolgirl was a back seat passenger in a Volkswagen car that was in collision with a Seat car and a tractor pulling a trailer loaded with hay bales on the Hilltown Road.

She was taken by ambulance to Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, but died a short time later.

It is believed her mother Susan, who was also in the car, sustained non life-threatening injuries in the crash.

Another woman was also injured in the collision, which happened shortly before 10am.

The little girl’s father is involved with the local Gaelic football club in Warrenpoint, where he works with the minor team.

The club postponed their scheduled registration day due to take place yesterday in respect to the family.

In a statement on its Facebook page, it wrote: "The registration day has been postponed owing to the very sad death of Ella Trainor, aged six, daughter of Minor Football Mentor Marty Trainor (Blond).

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Marty, Susan and the entire family circle at this very sad time. God rest Ella’s gentle soul."

Tributes have been paid to the schoolgirl with a family friend describing here as "our wee Angel Ella".

Another friend said: "So so sad an awful tragedy, poor wee Ella, rest in peace wee angel,words can't even describe it, thoughts and prayers are with you all".

SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie also said: "The untimely death of any individual is always sad, but the death of a child so soon after the Christmas period is particularly poignant.

"My deepest sympathies lie with the parents, family and relatives of this child. There is no doubt that the local community will support this family in their grief and bereavement," the South Down MP said.

Sinn Féin's Michael Ruane, chairman of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, said it was a "deeply tragic incident".

"On a personal basis and on behalf of the entire community I want to send heartfelt condolences to Martin, Susan and the entire family circle," he said.

"This devastating news of further loss of life on the roads has cast another dark cloud over our area and community.

"Our support, thoughts and prayers are with this suffering family as they face this nightmare of such a tragic loss."

Ella's death comes just weeks after another child died in a road tragedy in Co Antrim.

Jackson Turner (7) was killed when the car he was travelling in crashed in Newtownabbey on St Stephen's Day.