Sixteen-year-old killed in Donegal car crash named locally

A Derry teenager killed in a crash in Inishowen on Saturday night has been named.

The victim, named locally as Kian Dawson, (16), came from the Carnhill area of the city. Kian was a front-seat passenger in the vehicle which crashed at Cross, Quigley's Point at 11.15pm.

No other vehicles were involved in the tragic accident.

Kian died at the scene and the driver of the car suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators attended scene this morning to establish what caused the accident.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

"Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí," they said. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station at 074 9320540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."

Tributes have been flooding in on social media for Kian.

His good friend Kyle McDonald posted: “Rest in peace brother, taken way too soon. Wish things could be different. There was so much more memories to be made. Look over the boys the next few days. Fly high, forever 16."

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark Durkan said the crash had left this a "dark" time for all.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families devastated by this tragedy at this dark and unbelievably difficult time," he said.

Don Bosco's FC posted a fitting posted on their Facebook page a fitting tribute to the football mad teen, who played for the club.

"Our hearts are sore today. We awoke this morning to the sad news that young Kian Dawson, a player in our 2007 group since the age of 5, had sadly passed after a road traffic accident last night in Donegal.

"Kian and his father Emmett (a coach with our 2007s) have been an integral part of our club for many years, and have given us many wonderful and happy memories that we will cherish forever.

"Kian was the most genuine, well mannered and unassuming young lad you could meet. He was a credit to Don Boscos but more importantly to his mum and dad, Fiona and Emmett.

"Kian will be forever remembered by his coaches, team mates and friends at Don Boscos. We are also thinking of you all at this heartbreaking time.

"We send our love and deepest condolences to Kians parents Emmett and Fiona, his sister Abigail and to the wider Kirk and Dawson families.

"Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam.

"As a mark of respect, all Don Boscos club activities including training and matches will be called off for this coming week."

Organisers of the Foyle Cup also paid tribute to Kian.

They wrote on Facebook: “Our thoughts are very much with 16 year old Kian Dawson’s family at this time. He lost his life as a passenger in a tragic road accident in Donegal last night.

“Kian has played in ONeills Foyle Cup under the management of his dad Emmet for Don Boscos FC from mini soccer days up until this year.

“Our thoughts are very much with his family, friends and wider community at this time and we ask you all to keep them in your prayers as they come to terms with this traumatic event.

"R.I.P. Kian.”