Schoolgirl, 12, dies after being hit by car after getting off bus

A 12-year-old girl has died following a crash in County Londonderry.

The girl, who was due to turn 13 next month, was hit by a car after exiting a school bus on the Hillhead Road, Castledawson, shortly after 16:00 GMT on Wednesday, police said.

The road was closed for a following the collision, but has since reopened.

Insp Adair, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said: "There were a large number of people in the vicinity at the time who may have recorded video footage of the scene."

Police have appealed for those with footage not to share it on social media, but instead forward it to them through the Major Incident Public Portal.

SDLP councillor Denise Johnston said the community was in "absolute shock".

"We are so very saddened by the news that another young girl from Castledawson has died," she said.

There is "no pain greater," than losing a child, she added.

"This is every parent's worst nightmare."

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and I know the good people of Castledawson will rally around them in the days and weeks ahead."

Sinn Féin councillor Ian Milne said the community was left in a "state of shock" on hearing how serious the road traffic incident was.

"The schoolgirl was hit by a vehicle near her home and sadly died as a result of her injuries," he added.

"My heart goes out to the parents, family and friends of the young schoolgirl.

A spokesperson for Northern Ireland's Education Authority (EA) said their condolences are "with the family, friends, fellow pupils and staff at the school, and all those affected by this tragic incident".

"The EA's Critical Incident Response Team are supporting the school during this difficult time and will provide emotional support to both students and staff," the EA said.

"We would kindly ask that the family, school and wider community are afforded the time and space to grieve this unimaginable loss."