Two teenage boys yesterday skipped school with tragic consequences. The two 14-year-olds were killed by a train while walking along the Derry-Belfast railway line shortly before midday.
The accident happened near the village of Greysteel, 10 miles from Derry.
It is believed the boys lived in the village, and that both were pupils at St Mary's High School in Limavady.
Police investigating the accident found their school-bags in a disused cricket pavilion close to an unmanned crossing at Shore Road on the outskirts of Greysteel.
The boys, who were wearing their school uniforms, left the school-bags in the pavilion and then walked on to the railway line. They passed through a small gateway and by three warning signs.
Accident investigators believe the boys were walking towards Limavady when they were struck by the train, which left Derry Waterside station at 11.35 a.m.
The accident, which took place 500 yards along the line from the crossing, was witnessed by crew members of a British army helicopter flying overhead.
The soldiers landed beside the railway line and rendered first aid to the two victims.
One of the boys was already dead, and the other was dead on arrival at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.
The victims were flown to the hospital by the helicopter crew and were identified by grieving relatives last night.
A local man, Mr Eamonn O'Kane, who was working in a garden beside the railway crossing, said he saw the boys walking along the line.
"I saw the boys coming up the line. I was working in here. I saw the train going down and when I looked again, the young boys were gone. I don't know what happened.
"They're local young fellows, and people are very upset.
"The army was here quickly. I got some blankets when the soldiers were working with the boys. I then moved out of the way because one of them was already dead," said Mr O'Kane.
Mr Sean Bradley, principal of St Mary's High School in Limavady, said the school community was shocked at the news.
"As in any community where there is a tragedy involving young people, there is a lot of grief, there is a lot of devastation. Our community is no different, and as a result it has been a very difficult day for everyone associated with St Mary's.
"The school chaplain and teachers will be counselling the children because we must protect them and help them to come to terms with what has happened," said Mr Bradley.