Locals 'shocked' after five-year-old boy dies in crash

The five-year-old boy who died in a road traffic collision in Co Laois yesterday has been named locally as Aaron Hussain.

Aaron was killed after he was struck by a car in Kilminchy in Portlaoise at around 4.20pm yesterday.

He was brought to Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, in a serious condition.

Aaron was pronounced dead a short time later.

A woman in her 40s, who was driving the car, was not injured.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

In a Facebook post, his mother Irina Novikova said: "With deep sorrow, we share the heartbreaking loss of our little son, Aaron.

"Rest in peace our little angel."

A local resident has said people are "shocked and devastated for the family of the young boy" and "also upset for the driver of the car, as it could have happened to anyone".

He said it is a very "child-friendly estate" and "it is very upending and unsettling for something like this to happen".