A schoolgirl (16) died and her nine-year-old cousin was critically injured when a lorry crashed into their school bus on a notoriously dangerous Northern Ireland road today.
Five other children and the bus driver were hurt when the articulated lorry slammed into the back of the bus as it turned into the school at Cabragh, Co Tyrone.
Nicola Murray, who had just turned 16, died following the crash and her nine-year-old cousin, is in a critical condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, according to a PSNI spokesman.
The other children and the driver were released from hospital after treatment.
The crash happened shortly after 8am on the A4 at Quinn's Corner between Dungannon and Ballygawley. The two vehicles were travelling in the same direction and the bus was about to turn into St Mary's Primary School when the crash happened.
The 44-year-old lorry driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving and later released pending further police investigation.
The crash shocked the tight-knit local community and led to calls for action to improve safety on a stretch of road which has claimed numerous lives in recent years - including Irish Rugby legend Mick Doyle, who died in 2004 at the same spot as Nicola.
Nicola and seven other students were on their way to St Ciaran's High School a few miles away in Ballygawley.
Pupils at the school were stunned and the local Southern Education & Library Board sent counsellors in to help classmates cope.
School principal Aiden Taggart the thoughts and prayers of staff and students were with Nicola's family and the families of those injured.
Nicola lived a short distance from where she died and worked weekends waiting at tables in the nearby Quinn's Corner pub and restaurant.
A shocked member of staff said: "She was a lovely wee girl, we are all upset."
First Minister the Rev Ian Paisley sent a personal message of condolence to the dead girl's grieving family.
"On behalf of everyone in Northern Ireland, I want to assure the families concerned of our sympathy, particularly the families who have lost a loved one. "They are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. I hope and pray that those who have been injured will make a swift and speedy recovery."
Stormont Education Minister Caitriona Ruane expressed her shock and offered condolences. She travelled to the area and spoke with parents of children affected.
"The Southern Education and Library Board are providing support to the schools involved through their critical incident response team at what will be a very difficult time for the families, schools and communities involved."
A multimillion-pound roads improvement scheme which will turn the road into a dual carriageway got under way earlier this month. But Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott said there needed to be urgent interim measures.
Additional reporting PA
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