A nine-year-old boy has died and another boy is in a critical condition in hospital after a crash involving scrambler bikes in Co Antrim.
The collision happened in in the Dunvale area of Ballymena's Dunclug estate shortly before 5pm.
Both children, who were riding separate bikes, were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, one by air ambulance.
The nine-year-old died in the early hours of this morning.
The other boy, who is aged 13, is understood to be in a critical condition in hospital.
Fr Patrick Delargy, parish priest of All Saints’ Church in Ballymena, visited the family of the nine-year-old on Friday.
“They were totally exhausted, they were coming back from hospital,” he told BBC NI.
“They find it very hard to process the whole matter.
“There are not the words, I find it very hard to find the right words to say in those situations.”
The cleric said he prayed with the family and he believed it brought them some comfort.
The priest expressed hopes the injured boy would recover.
In a statement, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it responded to a 999 call at 4.47pm.
"NIAS despatched three emergency crews and a doctor to the scene and also tasked the Charity Air Ambulance, with HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) crew on board, to the incident.
"Following assessment and initial treatment one child was flown by Air Ambulance to the Royal Group of Hospitals in Belfast while the other was taken to the same location by ambulance."
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alliance's Noel Williams paid tribute to emergency services as he offered condolences to the boy's family.
He said: “I am deeply saddened by the news that a young boy has passed away following yesterday evening's incident and I wish to offer my condolences to his family.
“My thoughts and prayers are with both families and I ask that they are given the space they need at this very difficult time.
“I would like to thank the emergency services and in particular the Air Ambulance for their quick response to this incident and for getting the children the medical assistance needed.”
Ian Paisley, DUP MP for North Antrim, said the families involved were in his prayers.
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan expressed his condolences.
"The local community has been shocked and saddened at this tragic death. It is particularly devastating given the age of the young boy.
"My thoughts and sympathies are with his family, his young friends and his loved ones."
Alliance MLA Patricia O'Lynn described the incident as a "tragedy".
"The entire North Antrim Alliance team sends our thoughts and condolences to the family at this difficult time," she said.
SDLP Ballymena Councillor Eugene Reid also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased child.
“The news of this death will come as a huge shock to the local tight-knit community," he said.
"To lose a child, especially in these circumstances, is just horrendous and my thoughts are with the child’s family as they struggle to cope with the worst news imaginable for a parent.
“I would like to express my sympathies with the other child involved in this incident and their family. I know the whole community will join me in wishing them a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with them as they receive medical treatment.”
“I also thank those local people who tended to the injured immediately after the incident and who are undoubtedly traumatised by the incident, as well as to the emergency services who administered first aid and ensured the injured got the best medical treatment possible.”
Police said an investigation is underway and appealed to anyone who witnessed the collision or who has mobile phone footage which could assist officers with their enquirie to contact the Collision Investigation Unit by calling 101.
