LIFE ROBBED
Two teenagers killed in Donegal crash between car & truck pictured as 3rd pal in hospital after ‘devastating tragedy’
TWO young men were killed and a third left with serious injuries after a crash between their car and a cattle truck.
Caoimhin Porter and Daniel Cullen, both 18, were killed after the horror crash in the village of St Johnston, Co Donegal, at around 11.15pm on Tuesday.
The two friends, who are from the Shantallow area of Derry, were passengers in the car.
A third 18-year-old — who was driving — was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast with serious injuries.
The pals are understood to have been returning to Derry, after a trip to the Asda supermarket in Strabane.
The collision, between the lads’ Vauxhall Corsa and a Volvo FH 500 lorry towing a cattle trailer, took place on the R236 — a part of the main Lifford-Derry road.
No animals were in the trailer at the time, it is understood.
One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene. The other died later at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.
Gardai have launched a probe following the first fatal crash on Donegal’s roads this year.
Coroner Dr Denis McCauley was notified and post-mortems will now take place.
Local curate Fr Damien Nejad was at the scene and read the last rites to one of the victims.
He said: “It was very, very sad. I said a prayer over the body of a young man.”
Mass at St Baithin’s Church in St Johnston today was offered for the three occupants of the car and their grieving families.
The collision occurred close to the local Presbyterian church, at a known blackspot for collisions.
Local minister Rev Craig Wilson said: “It’s terrible. We have families devastated and the loss of two teenage lives is desperate. We heard the sirens going on Tuesday night.”
The road was closed this morning for examination by forensic collision investigators.
Local Sinn Fein councillor Gary Doherty said the incident was “an absolutely devastating tragedy.”
He added: “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are to the family and friends of the young lads who have lost their lives, and to the other lad who is in hospital.
“The entire community in St Johnston and across east Donegal is in complete shock.
“The fact that we are talking about two teenagers losing their lives, the fact they are so young, makes it even more profound.”
Cllr Doherty said the tragedy has left a dark cloud over the “close-knit” village of St Johnston.
He added: “East Donegal is intertwined with our neighbours in Derry and Tyrone, given the proximity, and people will know someone connected.
“There are members of our community who know the lads (involved) and the sense of shock is just so devastating.”
Meanwhile, the head of the Garda Traffic Corps in Donegal, Inspector Sean McDaid said the thoughts of the force are with the bereaved families — as Gardai appeal for witnesses.
They said: “Road users who may have footage — including dash-cam — and were in the area between 10.45pm and 11.45pm on Tuesday 24th February are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai.”
Witnesses are asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on (074) 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
