THERE is a deep sense of sadness across the county today following last night’s fatal collision in St Johnston, in which two teenagers lost their lives and another was left seriously injured.
Gardaí and emergency services responded to the collision, between a lorry and a car, on the R236 at around 11.15 pm last night.
Two male passengers of the car, aged in their late teens and understood to be from Derry, lost their lives in the fatal collision.
Post-mortem examinations will take place in due course and the Coroner has been notified.
Meanwhile, the male driver of the car, also in his late teens, remains in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where he is being treated for serious injuries.
Speaking to the Donegal News following last night’s tragic collision, Cllr Gary Doherty said the heartbreaking news has stopped the local community in its tracks.
“It is just an absolutely devastating tragedy for St Johnston, East Donegal and the wider Derry region as a whole,” Cllr Doherty said.
“Two very young men have lost their lives and our immediate thoughts are with their families and loved ones.
“News like this just stops a community in its tracks and there is a real sense of sadness around St Johnston and the wider area this morning.”
Describing Donegal as a “close-knit county”, the Sinn Féin councillor said tragedies like this are felt widely and people are absolutely heartbroken for the families involved.
The R236 road is currently closed for technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, with local diversions in place.
Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward.
Road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and were travelling in the area between 10.45pm and 11.45pm last night, Tuesday, February 24 are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on (074) 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
