Boy, five, dies after he was hit by a van while riding his bike
- Ollie Simmons-Watt, five, died after a single-vehicle collision with a van
- It is thought the child was on a bike when he was hit before he died in hospital
- Police are probing the death and have ask for witnesses to come forward to help
A five-year-old boy has died after he was hit by a van yesterday while riding his bike, police have said.
Ollie Simmons-Watt later died in hospital after the single-vehicle collision in Limavady in the county of Londonderry, Northern Ireland on Thursday.
Police are looking into the five-year-old’s death and have asked for witnesses to come forward to help.
The five-year-old’s friends, and community have said they are ‘absolutely heartbroken’ on the death of Ollie who had an ‘infectious smile’ and was so ‘full of character’.
Police confirmed Ollie Simmons-Watt (pictured) died after the single-vehicle collision in Limavady on Thursday
Sergeant Amanda McIvor said: ‘It was reported shortly after 3.40pm that a van had struck a child in the Irwin Avenue area.
‘We believe at this time that Ollie was on his bike in the area at the time of the collision.
‘Officers attended alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance NI, and the boy was taken to hospital for treatment, but unfortunately died from his injuries.
‘The road, which was closed for a time following the collision, has since reopened.’
In tribute, local group Roe Valley Residents Association said on Facebook: ‘It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of one of our young members Ollie Simmons-Watt yesterday evening.
‘Ollie’s smile was infectious and he was full of character. He kept eveyone entertained at any activity he participated in, and he will be dearly missed by his friends, management, staff and volunteers at RVRA.
‘We pass on our sympathies and condolences on to Ollie’s mammy and daddy.’
A woma,n who is close to the family, also said her ‘heart is sore’ and she ‘can’t imagine the pain [they] are in’.
She added: ‘Life is so cruel. I pray God gives you all the strength to get through this! Rest easy wee man.’
Local politicians have also expressed their ‘deepest sympathies’ on Ollie’s death.
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said: ‘I can’t begin to imagine what his family are going through, but they have my deepest sympathies and I hope they will take some comfort from the outpouring of support at this awful time.
‘Limavady is a very tight-knit area and people have been left shocked and reeling by this incident.
‘I have no doubt that the local community will rally around the Simmons-Watt family in their hour of need and do all they can to help as they come to terms with this devastating loss.
It was reported shortly after 3.40pm that a van had struck a child in the Irwin Avenue area
‘I’d like to thank the emergency services, including our ambulance and air ambulance staff who responded to this incident, and would urge anyone with any information about what happened to come forward to police as soon as possible to assist with their investigation.’
SDLP MLA for West Tyrone, Daniel McCrossan, said: ‘My thoughts are with the family of the elderly man who lost his life following a crash in Beragh this week.
‘It’s never easy to lose a loved one, particularly in such heartbreaking and tragic circumstances, and they have my sincere condolences at this difficult time.
‘Beragh is a small village and I would urge everyone to take care when driving in the area, particularly as we head towards winter with the nights getting darker and driving conditions worsening.’
Meanwhile, police are also appealing for information following a fatal two-vehicle crash in the Curr Road area of Beragh, Co Tyrone, on Wednesday.
A PSNI spokesperson said: ‘It was reported shortly after 11.25am that a lorry and a grey Renault Modus had been involved in a collision in the area.
‘Officers attended alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
‘One man aged in his 80s, who was driving the Renault, was taken to hospital following the incident. Sadly, he has since passed away.’
Anyone who witnessed the crash, or has footage of it, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 582 of September 28.
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