Mother of young girl killed in Donegal crash sadly dies in hospital

The mother of a six-year-old girl who was killed in a road accident in Donegal yesterday evening has also sadly died in hospital, gardai have confirmed.

The serious road crash involving a car and van occurred on the R240 at Glentogher, Carndonagh, shortly after 6.30pm on Wednesday.

A six-year-old girl died in the accident and three other people, including her mother, a man in his 30s who was a front seat passenger, and her toddler sister were seriously injured.

Now it has emerged that the girl's mother, a woman in her 20s who was driving the car, has died.

The occupants of the car had been taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry before two of them were transferred to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for further treatment. The remaining two passengers are in serious condition, according to reports.

The local community in Donegal are said to be “raw with grief” over the horrific accident. Carndonagh Parish Priest Fr Con McLaughlin said he visited the family in hospital today and described the scene as "something I'll never forget".

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Fr McLaughlin said there is shock and disbelief locally.

"Pain is no stranger to the people of Inishowen as there have been so, so many tragic deaths," he said.

"Once again, tragedy has struck our people and I'm quite sure it revives many painful memories for many people in Inishowen, as indeed it does for me".

Gardaí have appealed for any witnesses, particularly any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) to contact Buncrana Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.