Family pray for boy (9) injured in car accident

THE family of a nine-year-old boy who remains fighting for his life in hospital after he was hit by a car are “praying” he will pull through.

Simon Doherty is in intensive care in a critical condition after being struck by a black Toyota Avensis car on the Glenravel Road in Cargan, outside Ballymena at the weekend.

His parents, Robert and Breda Doherty, are maintaining a beside vigil at Royal Victoria Hospital after he was airlifted there on Saturday afternoon.

It’s understood that the young boy, who attends Mary Queen of Peace Primary School, is a member of a settled Travelling community.

His dad took to social media to beg friends and family to pray for his son who he described as his “best friend”.

A family friend posted a heartfelt message on Facebook.

“Everyone please pray for him. He needs it,” the friend wrote.

“We are all broken hearted over him, he’s very bad. Come on keep praying we need it, we can’t lose him. I love you cousin Simmey Doherty. I love you so much — I can’t believe this happened to you. You’re my number one. We can’t lose you now. You’ve more to life and we never want to lose you. You’re my world, come on keep praying, I beg you all please every single one help us. My heart’s broken into bits over this child. Please pull through, we need you. Don’t give up. I know you’re strong.”

A PSNI spokesman has appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact officers at Ballymena station.