Kian Dawson, 16, tragically killed in Donegal car crash
Football-mad Kian Dawson, from Carnhill in the city, was out for a cross-border drive in Donegal with one of his cousins when tragedy struck in Inishowen.
He was a front-seat passenger in the Renault Clio car, which crashed at Cross, Quigley’s Point, at 11.15pm.
Weather at time was said to have been poor.
The vehicle, being driven by Kian’s cousin, appeared to lose control before striking a wall at a bridge, before ending up in a field.
Kian tragically lost his life at the scene, while the driver of the car sustained serious injuries and was transported to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for emergency treatment.
The Clio was fitted with ‘R’ plates suggesting the driver was under restrictions.
Don Bosco’s Football Club in Derry penned a moving tribute to young footballer Kian, who has been involved with the club since he was five years old, describing him as: “The most genuine, well-mannered, and unassuming young lad you could ever meet.”
They also said all club activities have been suspended for the coming week as a mark of respect.
The club posted a statement in his memory on social media on Sunday evening, stating “our hearts are sore today”.
“We awoke this morning to the sad news that young Kian Dawson, a player in our 2007 group since the age of 5, had sadly passed after a road traffic accident last night in Donegal,” they said.
“Kian and his father Emmett (a coach with our 2007’s) have been an integral part of our club for many years and have given us many wonderful and happy memories that we will cherish forever.
“Kian was the most genuine, well-mannered and unassuming young lad you could meet. He was a credit to Don Boscos but more importantly to his mum and dad, Fiona and Emmett.”
“Kian will be forever remembered by his coaches, teammates and friends at Don Bosco’s. We are also thinking of you all at this heart breaking time.
“We send our love and deepest condolences to Kian’s parents Emmett and Fiona, his sister Abigail and to the wider Kirk and Dawson families.
“As a mark of respect, all Don Boscos club activities including training and matches will be called off for this coming week.”
The O’Neill’s Foyle Cup tournament social media page shared a heartfelt tribute.
Recognizing Kian and his family’s dedication to football, it said: “Kian has played O’Neill’s Foyle Cup under the management of his dad Emmet for Don Bosco’s FC from mini soccer days up until this year.”
“Our thoughts are very much with his family, friends, and wider community at this time, and we ask you all to keep them in your prayers as they come to terms with this traumatic event. RIP Kian.”
Local SDLP MLA Mark Durkan said the crash had left this a “dark” time for all.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families devastated by this tragedy at this dark and unbelievably difficult time,” he said.
His good friend Kyle McDonald posted: “Rest in peace brother, taken way too soon. Wish things could be different.
“There was so much more memories to be made. Look over the boys the next few days. Fly high, forever 16.”
Molly Ferry posted: “Rest easy beautiful boy. A lot of sore hearts today Kian. Forever our angel now.”
The Gardaí have appealed for any witnesses to the collision to come forward, including anyone with dash-cam footage.
The head of the Gardai Traffic Corps in Co Donegal, Inspector Seamus McGonigle, said there was very little he could say about the latest loss of life on Donegal’s roads.
He said: “There’s very little I can say other than to express my sincere sympathy with the family of the young man who lost his life and the young man who was seriously injured.
“This is simply another tragedy on the roads of Donegal which I would prefer not to be commenting on. It’s simply heartbreaking for all concerned.”
This is the ninth death on Donegal’s roads so far this year compared to a total number of ten fatalities for all of last year on the county’s roads.
Kian’s death bring to 124 the number of people who have lost their lives on the roads in the Republic so far this year.
Inspector McGonigle issued a general appeal for people to concentrate on their driving when they get behind the wheel.
He also asked people to be aware of weather conditions after a status yellow rain warning was issued for Donegal for the next couple of days.
He added: “I would simply ask people to be as careful as they can when they get behind the wheel of a car.
“It goes without saying that they should always wears their seat belt, not to speed and never to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs.
“But overall I would just ask people, young and old, to mind their driving at all times and to be careful.”
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