A 19-year-old man was also killed in the incident.
A 17-year-old girl was killed in a car crash in Co Tyrone, just a day after she attended an event highlighting the numbers of people killed on Irish roads.
Kamile Vaicikonyte, a pupil at St Ciaran’s College in Ballygawley, and 19-year-old Jamie Moore died following the crash in the Doogary Road area of Omagh on Tuesday night.
Ms Vaicikonyte was in attendance at a poignant event the day before which remembered former students who lost their lives on the A5 road.
Inspector Cherith Adair of the PSNI said: “At around 9.50pm, it was reported that a blue BMW was involved in the road traffic collision.
“Sadly both Kamile and a 19-year-old man died at the scene following the road traffic collision.”
Two teenagers have died in a car crash on the A5 in County Tyrone. Police say a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were killed when the car they were in crashed on the Doogary Road near Omagh last night. The 17-year-old was named by her school as Kamile Vaicikonyte. pic.twitter.com/IR50rRHiBV
— BBC Newsline (@bbcnewsline) May 1, 2024
Teenager killed in car crash day after attending event for road accident victims
Writing for the Belfast Telegraph on Thursday, Niall McKenna, chair of the A5 Enough is Enough campaign group, said: “The latest tragic fatalities of two young people cut down in their prime demonstrate the urgency of the delivery of the new A5.
“I would express our most sincere sympathy and condolences to their families and friends.
“No more evidence should be needed that the current A5 is not fit for purpose.
“The catastrophic mix of traffic on this road, which was designed for a bygone era, is resulting in an accident and death-rate that can only be described as grotesque.
“The ongoing carnage is devastating families and communities in this locale.”
The teenage girl who died in a collision on the Doogary Road was 17-year-old girl Kamile Vaicikonyte, we can confirm. A 19-year-old man also died following the single-vehicle collision pic.twitter.com/v823A8NhpY
— Police Fermanagh and Omagh (@PSNIFermOmagh) May 1, 2024
Including the deaths of Ms Vaicikonyte and Mr Moore, the number of people who have lost their lives on the A5 since a planned upgrade was first announced 17 years ago now sits at 56.
St Ciaran’s principal Paul Lavery paid tribute to Ms Vaicikonyte saying: “The entire St. Ciaran’s community is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our Year 13 pupil, Kamile Vaicikonyte.
“Kamile was a bubbly, outgoing girl who was very popular with both staff and pupils. She joined our school in Year 10 and spoke excitedly about her hopes and dreams, which included going to university.
“We have been profoundly saddened by her death and our hearts go out to Kamile’s parents, sister and wider family circle.”
Mr Moore, who also died in the crash, was from Omagh and was formerly a pupil at the town’s High School.
Principal of Omagh High School, Christos Gaitatzis, said: “Jamie was a pleasant young man and always tried to help the pupils and staff around him.
“He showed genuine kindness to others and he engaged positively with many school events offering his time to be part of the community.
Read more:
- 14-year-old stabbed to death in London sword attack pictured for first time
- Conor McGregor’s ‘Ibiza style’ Dublin hotel refused planning permission
- New Croagh Patrick pilgrim path to open after three years
- Pierce Brosnan to play Irish sports legend in new biopic movie
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge