Buggy crash victim Nicole (12) to be laid to rest today

THE family and friends of a 12-year-old Co Down schoolgirl killed in a road accident at the weekend will say their final farewells today.

Nicole Ita Fegan, from Mayobridge, died when the beach buggy she was a passenger in collided with a Toyota Hilux on Newry’s Flagstaff Road on Saturday.

A 14-year-old friend suffered a broken leg in the incident and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Nicole is survived by her par- ents, Cathal and Margo, both aged 49, and older brothers Jason and Jamie.

A popular student in her first year at Our Lady’s Grammar School in Newry, she was a gifted musician who could play the flute and tin whistle.

She had performed in the South Down Scór na nÓg competition, forming part of an instrumental group as well as singing a solo just the night before the collision.

Nicole is also remembered for her passion for sport, as a talented gymnast and dancer who also played camogie and football with Mayobridge Camogie and GAA team.

An emotional candle-lit vigil was held on Monday night to “light her pathway home” by members of the close-knit Mayobridge community.

A funeral Mass will be held today at noon at St Patrick’s Church, Mayobridge.

A guard of honour, marking the multiple clubs Nicole was a member of, is expected at the service.

Her parents said she had many friends, was the “heart of the home” and described their only daughter and youngest child as “a shining light.” They had been in Dublin when they received the phone call to return home.

Speaking on Saturday, Mrs Fegan said: “We were down in Dublin for the weekend and left Nicole off at around 11.30am, then we got a phone call at 3.30pm to say that there was an accident and Nicole was fine, but to get down the road.

“We went to Craigavon Area Hospital, but she had passed away — it was too late.

“It was devastating for us and for her 14-year-old brother Jason, who is in a bad way.”

Gifted student: Nicole Fegan