A girl who was hit and killed by a car as she stepped off a school bus has today been laid to rest in an emotional service following her tragic death at the age of just 11.
Grieving friends and family walked behind Caitlin-Rose McMullan’s white coffin as it was carried into the Church of St Mary, in the village of Bellaghy, Co Londonderry, in Northern Ireland.
‘Let It Go’ from Disney’s Frozen was among the songs played during a service in which the schoolgirl was remembered as ‘a lovely, gentle soul of God, gone all too quickly’.
A passport, make-up, a teddy, and artwork were placed at the altar alongside a floral arrangement as ‘life symbols [that] capture something for us about her’.
Caitlin-Rose died on Wednesday after being struck by a vehicle at 4pm close to her family home in the village of Castledawson.
Monsignor Andrew Dolan told the service how she ‘loved to travel’, reported the Belfast Telegraph.
‘If I were to list all the places in the world that she has been, believe it or not, it would sound like I was calling out the map of the world. Those travels bring people together and create precious memories,’ he said.
‘A love of style, a girl who had a flair and taste for things artistic—a creative person.
Caitlin-Rose McMullan, 11, died on Wednesday when she was hit by a car as she exited a school bus in the village of Castledawson
A Google Streetview image of Hillhead Road in Castledawson on which the tragic collision occurred
‘She was well-known for her drawing, and her specialty was drawings of animals. Make-up, shopping, and spending money, I am told, were passions of Caitlin-Rose. The teddy representing her source of comfort.’
Her school described Caitlin-Rose as ‘outgoing, bubbly and caring’.
In a post this week on Facebook in tribute, St Pius X College expressed ‘profound sadness’ and said their thoughts are with her family.
‘Caitlin-Rose was a very popular pupil who was always smiling. Her former teachers described her as a ‘joy to teach due to her kind and fun-loving nature’,’ they said.
‘She was an outgoing, bubbly and caring child who will be greatly missed by fellow pupils and staff alike.
‘Caitlin-Rose’s friends and classmates are heartbroken by her untimely passing and they are receiving support from our staff and relevant professional services.’
Stormont’s Education Minister Paul Givan described her death as ‘devastating’.
‘I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news that a 12-year-old pupil from St Pius X College, Magherafelt has sadly died following a collision outside Castledawson yesterday,’ he said.
‘As a parent, when we set our children off to school in the morning, none of us ever expect to receive such devastating news.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this young girl and the wider school community following this tragic incident. I have spoken to the principal at St Pius X College and assured him of my support.
‘The Education Authority’s critical incident team is in contact with the school and will provide support to the pupils and staff.
‘A PSNI investigation into the incident is ongoing.’
A PSNI spokesperson said: ‘There was a large number of people in the vicinity at the time who may have recorded video footage of the scene.
‘I would ask anyone with footage not to share it on social media, but instead forward it to police through the major incident public portal.
‘This footage will be of great assistance to officers investigating the collision.’
A Google Streetview image St Pius X College in Magherafelt, County Derry, where Caitlin-Rose attended
The Hillhead Road was closed following the collision but it had reopened by Thursday morning.
A spokesperson for Northern Ireland’s Education Authority (EA) said: ‘We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of a pupil following a road traffic incident which occurred on the Hillhead Road, outside Castledawson yesterday afternoon.
‘Our sincere 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.
‘We would kindly ask that the family, school and wider community are afforded the time and space to grieve this unimaginable loss.
‘A PSNI investigation into the serious collision is ongoing.’
Local councillor Ian Milne said the Castledawson community had been left shocked.
‘The schoolgirl was hit by a vehicle near her home and sadly died as a result of her injuries,’ said the Sinn Fein representative.
‘My heart goes out to the parents, family and friends of the young schoolgirl.
‘The local Castledawson community are completely devastated at the loss of life of the young girl and I know the community will rally to support the bereaved family in whatever way they can.’
Fellow councillor Denise Johnston said local people were heartbroken.
‘We are so very saddened by the news that another young girl from Castledawson has died,’ said the SDLP representative.
‘The community is in absolute shock at this tragedy.
‘Our children are so precious to us, there is no pain greater than losing them.
‘This is every parent’s worst nightmare and I cannot even imagine what they are going through at this time.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this girl and everyone who knew her.
‘I know the good people of Castledawson will rally around them in the days and weeks ahead to support them as they come to terms with this devastating loss.’
