A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl and a pedestrian in his thirties have died in separate road crashes in counties Armagh and Derry.
The schoolgirl, named by police as Patrycja from Richhill, was killed in a single-car collision on Hamiltonsbawn Road yesterday morning.
She was a back seat passenger in a Peugeot 407 which crashed at around 9am.
The child, who was a student at Hardy Memorial Primary School in Richhill, died at the scene.
It is understood her family requested that her surname should not be released.
A man in his sixties who was driving the car was taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Speers, who is Chair of the Board of Governors at Hardy Memorial Primary School, said Patrycja was "an extremely popular pupil".
"This is a terrible tragedy for the young girl's family," he said.
"The pain they must be going through will be unimaginable. On behalf of the Board of Governors I want to express my deepest sympathies to the family and assure them that they are in our thoughts and prayers. Our thoughts are also with the man injured in this tragic incident.
"I have spoken to Hardy Memorial staff who are providing support to the pupils in her class and the wider school, who have all been deeply affected by what has happened."
SDLP MLA Justin McNulty tweeted: "Such sad and tragic news. Heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends, classmates and teachers."
Alliance Armagh representative Jackie Coade said she was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the tragedy.
"I can only imagine the pain the family are experiencing at this time," she said.
"Everyone in the community will be shocked by this news, particularly given it is such a young girl that has passed away following the crash."
On Sunday evening, a male pedestrian died in a crash in Coleraine.
Johnny Scott (33) was fatally injured after he was hit by a car on Quilly Road shortly before 7pm.
Mr Scott was treated at the scene by paramedics before being brought to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.
It is understood he was married and had two young children.
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald said the community was "shocked", adding: "Our thoughts and prayers are with this man's family and friends at this sad and difficult time."
DUP MLA Maurice Bradley also extended his condolences and said he hoped the community "rallies around the family at this particularly sad time".
"A young family man with his whole life in front of him has been cut down in heartbreaking circumstances," he said.
It is the second road death in the area in less than a week.
Peter Smyth, from Barnside Road in Kilrea, died when his van was involved in a crash with a lorry on Drumcroon Road last Wednesday.
SDLP councillor Stephanie Quigley said it was "dreadful news" that "two young fathers in the prime of their lives have died within a matter of days as a result of road accidents".
