LATEST: Eight-year-old boy dies after Cloughmills crash

The scene in Cloughmills this morning after a serious car crash involving pedestrians. INBM47-14 MJ

Area Commander for Ballymena, Chief Inspector Stephen McCauley said: “The child was with his mother and siblings en route to school when the collision happened at around 8:35am. He sadly passed away later in hospital.

“Adam, his mother and five siblings were making their way to school this morning when the collision happened. His mother, along with four of his siblings, are currently receiving treatment in hospital at present for a range of injuries, some of which are serious. One child was not injured and is being looked after by a relative.

“There is a police Family Liaison Officer at the side of the family as the investigation into this collision is progressed. The investigation is being led by the specialist Collision Investigation Unit (CIU).

“An 18 year old male has been arrested following the incident.

“This fatal collision brings the number of fatalities on our roads this year to 69. The fact that a child has died on the way to school this morning heaps tragedy upon an already stark figure.

“It is too early to comment on the circumstances pertaining to this particular collision. However, I am clear about the principal causes of the most serious road traffic collisions on our roads. Inattention, speed, or more accurately, excessive speed for the conditions and drink or drug driving, all lead to deaths on our roads.

“I ask everyone to take stock today and slow down. Please make the right decisions when you are on the road. That is whether you are a driver, a pedestrian, a cyclist or a motorcyclist.

“The PSNI want to keep people safe and that extends to keeping people safe on our roads. Please take responsibility and help prevent future tragedies. Finally, I offer my sincere condolences to the family at this most difficult of days.

“Police would appeal for anyone who witnessed this collision or was travelling on the Loughill Road from around 8.00am this morning and may have seen the Gilmour family to contact the Collision Investigation Unit at Antrim on 101.”