Children die in road accidents

One child was killed in the village of Belcoo

Two young children have died following separate road accidents, bringing to five the number killed on the roads in the past 24 hours.

A two and a half-year-old boy was killed in an accident on the Carntell Road, Aughnacloy, County Tyrone, at about 0900 BST on Tuesday.

It is understood two women were injured in the two-car collision.

Earlier on Tuesday, a three-year-old girl died in hospital following an accident in County Fermanagh.

Ellie Walsh was struck by a car at Railway Road, Belcoo, County Fermanagh, at about 2115 BST on Monday.

The child, who lived at Crom Cruiach Way in the village, was taken to the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen but she died of her injuries.

'Distressing'

"This was a tragic collision and has had a major impact on the local community," said Inspector Ian Kennedy.

"In Northern Ireland this year, already more than 50 people have lost their lives on the roads," he said.

"These are very worrying facts and they are extremely distressing incidents. For each family there is a void left that will remain with them forever.

"In the event of a child being involved there are no words to sum up the emotions involved and our heartfelt sympathies are extended to the family."

In a separate incident, a woman died following a collision in County Down.

The accident happened at about 0130 BST on Tuesday on the Kilbroney Road, Rostrevor.

No other vehicle was involved.

A total of 53 people have died on Northern Ireland's roads since the beginning of the year, four of them children.

On Monday, an elderly couple were killed when their car was in collision with a lorry outside Londonderry.

Police have appealed to anyone with information about either incident to contact them.