AN eight-year-old girl died and a boy aged five was rushed to hospital after being struck by a car while out walking.
They were among a group of summer scheme children making their way to Carrickfergus Castle in Co Antrim today when the accident happened.
The PSNI named the little girl as Scarlett Rosborough from the Larne area.
They said the boy’s injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
Emergency services were alerted at 11.40am today to a one-vehicle collision in the High Street area of the town.
Four emergency crews raced to the scene, including the charity-funded Air Ambulance.
A police spokesman said: “Officers attended together with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance but sadly Scarlett passed away at the scene.
“A second child, was also injured during the collision and has been taken to hospital for treatment for injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.”
Appealing for witnesses, he said: “An investigation is now underway to establish the circumstances of the collision.”
Local UUP MLA John Stewart said people have been left “numb with grief”.
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He said: "It happened in the most public of places and it is absolutely heartbreaking.
"As a parent my heart goes out the families who are grieving.
"It’s the worst possible thing you can imagine.
"I am also thinking of the young boy in hospital and praying that he pulls through.”
'PARENT'S WORST NIGHTMARE'
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson said: “What should have been a simple trip into town has turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.
“I wish to thank the emergency services for their quick response to the accident today, and commend them for the devotion to duty that is often encountered in the most troubling of situations.”
Mr Dickson said it has been “a very difficult day for all those in the town centre of Carrickfergus and indeed the wider community.”
Local UUP councillor Bethany Ferris said the news had left her “saddened and heartbroken.”
She added: "Our community is in a state of shock and my thoughts and prayers are with all involved.
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“I would like to thank the emergency services and Air Ambulance for their swift response and support to all at the incident.”
The NI Ambulance Service said: "Following initial assessment and treatment at the scene, one patient was taken by Ambulance to Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.”
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