Police in Derry yesterday described an attack on police officers at the scene of a road traffic accident in which a 4- year-old girl was killed as "simply unbelievable".
Ciara McLaughlin died in the city's Altnagelvin Hospital after she was struck by a car near her Cashelmore home just after tea time on Tuesday.
Police officers who were investigating the tragedy were attacked by a crowd of about thirty teenagers who threw stones and bottles at them.
The toddler's family had moved into the area because her parents believed there was less traffic than their previous address. Ciara, who lived with her parents Paddy and Carol and her 8-year-old sister Amy, will be buried following a Mass at St Eugene's Cathedral at 11.30 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Insp Rodney Flood said his officers were upset by the entire incident.
"My thoughts and the thoughts of my officers are with the McLaughlin family.
"We received a call from ambulance control requesting our assistance at a road traffic accident. Obviously at that stage we knew it was a very serious incident. We have an obligation to investigate fatal road traffic accidents for the coroner and officers on duty at the scene came under sustained stoning.
"It began at a fairly low level but it increased in intensity until over thirty people, mainly teenagers, were involved.
"However, my main concern today and the main concern of my officers is with the family of young Ciara.
"They are living through tragic circumstances today.
"Any incident involving breaking news of this kind to parents is very difficult for us, but it is made additionally difficult when the death of a child is following by stone throwing.