Young girl who lost her life in farming accident is named

In what has been described as a ‘terrible tragedy,’ the child died following the incident at around 3.30pm on Wednesday evening at Killian, Malin.

It is understood Louise, the daughter of Robert and Sarah-Jo Colhoun, from Bellaghan, Umgall Bridge, Malin, was helping with some ‘land reclamation work’ at the site when she became trapped underneath a tractor/trailer.

Inishowen Garda Superintendent Eugene McGovern said Louise, who attended Urblereagh National School, was transferred to Altnagelvin Hospital, where she was sadly pronounced dead. An ongoing investigation is under way by Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), which is standard procedure.

Superintendent McGovern expressed his sympathies to the young girl’s family in this ‘terrible tragedy.’

Inishowen Cathaoirleach Martin McDermott said the entire community was ‘devastated’ by the loss of the young girl.

“Everyone is just deeply shocked and saddened,” he said. “Any tragedy like this is very sad, but it is always more heartbreaking when it’s a child. The community in Malin, Inishowen and Donegal is just devastated at the minute. But we will support the family in whatever way we can in the weeks and months ahead. This area is, unfortunately, no stranger to tragedy and will pull together.”

He added: “Tribute must also be paid to the emergency services, the coastguard helicopter, Greencastle Coastguard, Gardaí, fire service and medical personnel who attended and in Altnagelvin.”