Six-year-old Antrim boy dies following car accident

A six-year-old boy has died in hospital in Derry, almost one week after he was involved in a one-vehicle crash.

Ethan McCourt, from the Toomebridge, Co Antrim, was injured following the crash at the Castledawson Road roundabout in Magherafelt after 07:45 BST on Monday 20 June.

Police said the driver of the car remains in hospital.

Speaking on BBC News NI, the Right Reverend Andrew Dolan said Ethan would have celebrated his seventh birthday later this week, and was on his way to school, which he loved, when the incident happened.

"He loved playing with all his wee friends at St Mary's school," he said. "The teachers and just the whole school is in complete shock.

"There was a lot of shock last week but now there's just an awful sadness over the whole village after this news.

"Everyone here in Bellaghy has, and continues to have, Ethan and his whole family in their prayers."

GAA club Bellaghy Wolfe Tones paid tribute to their underage player on social media.

"We are devastated to share the news that our underage player Ethan McCourt has sadly passed to his eternal rest following an accident earlier this week.

The club said it was devastated and that it kept Ethan's "father Declan in our thoughts as he receives continued treatment in hospital".

A statement from the PSNI said: "A six-year-old boy has sadly passed away following a one-vehicle collision at the Castledawson Road roundabout in Magherafelt.

"Ethan Michael McCourt from the Bellaghy area died in hospital as a result of his injuries following the collision that occurred on Monday, 20th June shortly after 7.45am.

"The driver of the vehicle remains in hospital at present.

“A full investigation is currently underway and anyone who witnessed the collision or who has dash-cam footage, is asked to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 324 of 20/06/22.”

Ethan's funeral mass is to be held at St Mary's Bellaghy on Tuesday morning.