Tragic hit-and-run victim Reece Meenan
A Co Derry family has been left devastated after their 13-year-old son was killed in a hit and run incident.
Young Reece Meenan was rushed to hospital after being struck by a white-coloured car at around 6.30 pm on Saturday at Newbridge Road.
But tragically he was pronounced dead a short time later.
A Facebook remembrance page has been set in Reece’s memory.
Next Monday, December 5, would have been his 14th birthday.
Friends have been asked to gather at New Bridge Lodge Road in Coleraine at 6.30 next Monday and take part in a minute’s silence for Reece.
Tributes have been paid to the Loreto College pupil who played football for Bertie Peacock Youths up until the end of last season.
Club chairman Aaron Moffatt said the teen “could turn his hand to anything” and had recently taken up golf.
“Reece was a great young kid who was well liked about the club and within his team,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“He was one of those wee lads who could turn his hand to anything. He had been playing a lot of golf recently up at Castlerock and I believe he was doing very well at it – he also played a bit of Gaelic.
“This news is just awful, he will be sadly missed.”
Flowers were laid close to scene yesterday evening and a banner which read ‘RIP Reece’ was hung from a nearby bridge.
Local SDLP councillor Stephanie Quigley knows the Meenan family and described Reece as a popular young man.
“Reece was in the same class as my son in Loreto College and was a very happy and popular young man,” she said.
“To lose a child is one of the most devastating experiences for a family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very sad time.”
It is the second tragedy to hit the family in recent years. In September 2012 Reece’s uncle, Peter Lennon, died in an industrial accident at A Diamond & Son Timber where he worked.
The car believed to have been involved was recovered by police in the Magherafelt area several hours after the incident.
Officers arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death and a number of other offences.
He was released on police bail last night, pending further enquiries.
PSNI Detective Sergeant Wallace appealed for witnesses and those with any information to contact police in Coleraine on 101.
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald also extended her sympathy to family and friends of Reece.
She said: “This is a nightmare for any family to deal with, I would like to express my utmost sympathy to the family and friends of the young boy at this terrible time.
“Any death on our roads is one too many and a tragedy for all those involved. I would appeal to all road users to exercise care especially at this time of year.”
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