Shocked and saddened

Only last week, eight-year-old Robert Christie from Ballymoney lost his life following a farm accident. And last Sunday, Ballycastle lad Logan Crawford, who has family within the Ballymoney area, sadly passed away after falling off a cliff.

One local, who watched the massive search and rescue operation for Logan, said: “It was blue lights coming from every angle, and family members were on the scene as well. It was pandemonium.”

He described the stretch of coastline as having very dangerous edges, with drops of around 60-feet upwards.

Speaking to the Times, SDLP Cllr Donal Cunningham said his prayers were with the family: “This is absolutely heartbreaking news and my heart goes out to the little boy’s family and friends. It is a terrible tragedy, and I know the entire area will be deeply saddened at the devastating news of such an untimely death of a young child.”

The rescue helicopter had earlier helped a man who had fallen on cliffs at Fair Head near Ballycastle.

The victim suffered a broken ankle and was treated at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.

Ian Paisley Junior also expressed his sympathy to the entire family circle: “It is such a shock when someone so young loses their life in such a tragic accident.

“My thoughts are with the entire family circle and friends of the family.

“It has been a very sad week of people perishing in accidents in the sea and I hope and pray for everyone who has been affected.”

Padraig McShane, independent councillor for the area, said the child’s mother is from Ballycastle.

“Obviously it’s devastating. It’s a shock for the people of Ballycastle as well,” he said, adding that Sunday also happened to have been Fathers’ Day.

Ballymoney Mayor Bill Kennedy also called on the entire community to remember in their thoughts and prayers the family of young Logan. He added: “I express my sympathy to the family of the young boy. My thoughts and prayers, as well as those of the entire community, are with them at this difficult time.”

Logan was a pupil at Ballycastle Integrated Primary School where classmates have been offered counselling.

Enquiries are continuing and police would appeal to anyone with any information to contact them on the new non-emergency number 101.