An 11-year-old girl from Northern Ireland has tragically died after being struck by a car while stepping off her school bus in Castledawson. Caitlin-Rose McMullan, a sixth-grade student at St. Pius X College in Magherafelt, was hit by a vehicle on March 5 and later succumbed to her injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast.
The incident has left the local community in mourning. Caitlin-Rose was described by her school as a bright, kind, and joyful student. “Caitlin-Rose was a very popular pupil who was always smiling,” said Principal Peter Friel in a statement posted on the school’s Facebook page. “Her Form Teachers described her as ‘a joy to teach’ due to her kind and fun-loving nature.”
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Friel also highlighted Caitlin-Rose’s academic dedication, noting her “outstanding classwork” and enthusiasm for learning. “She was an outgoing, bubbly, and caring child, who will be greatly missed by fellow pupils and staff alike,” he added. The school has mobilized support services to help students and staff cope with the loss.
The tragedy has deeply affected the tight-knit community. Very Rev. John Gates, the parish priest in Magherafelt, described the mood as one of profound grief. “The community has once again been left devastated and distraught by a terrible family tragedy,” he told the Belfast Telegraph. “The thoughts and prayers of everyone in this community are with the family.”
Caitlin-Rose’s family, including her younger brother Shea, who also attends St. Pius X College, has received an outpouring of support. Education Minister Paul Givan expressed his condolences, stating, “I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news. As a parent, when we set our children off to school in the morning, none of us ever expect to receive such devastating news.”
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Givan assured the school of his support and confirmed that the Education Authority’s Critical Incident Team is providing assistance to the school community. “My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this young girl and the wider school community following this tragic incident,” he added.
As investigations into the accident continue, the community has rallied around Caitlin-Rose’s family, offering prayers and support. “May Caitlin-Rose’s gentle soul rest in Heavenly Peace,” Principal Friel concluded in his tribute. The loss of the young student has left a lasting impact on her school and the broader community, who remember her as a beacon of kindness and joy.
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