A TEENAGER killed in a hit-and-run in Co Armagh was remembered yesterday as a "unique person" who was in the "wrong place at the wrong time".
Warm tributes were paid at the funeral of Lesley-Ann McCarragher (19) who was knocked down as she jogged near her family home on Saturday.
Rev Tony Davidson told hundreds of mourners at First Presbyterian Church, Armagh how the student's life had been "tragically cut short".
He said he had baptised Lesley-Ann in the church as a child and watched her grow into a young woman.
Ms McCarragher, a former head girl at City of Armagh High School, was studying at Loughry food and agriculture college near Cookstown.
She was also a keen sportswoman and members of Mid Ulster Ladies Football Club, which she had joined this season, were among those at the funeral.
Rev Davidson said Lesley-Ann had left her family home on the Monaghan Road outside Armagh at noon on Saturday to go for a run.
"She stepped out of the house and she ran," he said.
"It was reported that she was jogging. For the record, Lesley-Ann did not jog. Lesley-Ann did power running.
“She ran fast with music in her ears, a smile on her face, elegance in her stride, and joy on her heart.
"Her legs pumped, her arms flailed, her pony tail bobbed.
“After the run, she looked forward to absorbing more information from her books, having lunch with her family and later that evening dressing up for a meal out with her cousin Emma.
"On Saturday, Lesley-Ann was ready to step outside the safety of her home and plunge into life.
"She would emerge from childhood ready to take on the world.
"Sadly she did not return. Her life was tragically cut short."
Rev Davidson said "in one second everything changed", adding that "Lesley-Ann was in the wrong place at the wrong time".
He told how the teenager's parents had given her "a unique name and Lesley-Ann grew up as a unique person".
"Her training was provided primarily by James and Liz. You did a great job. You have every right to be proud of your four girls," he said.
"Lesley-Ann felt loved, appreciated, and nurtured in your home.
“It was in the home she learnt to share with her sisters, stand up for herself, and welcome others."
The teenager was laid to rest in Aghavilly parish churchyard.
A 17-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with causing her death.
