Tributes paid to Derry teenager killed in Inishowen car crash

Tributes for a Derry teenager killed in a crash in County Donegal on Saturday night have flooded in on social media. 

The victim, named locally as Kían Dawson, (16), came from the Carnhill area of the city.

Kían was a front-seat passenger in the vehicle which crashed at Cross, Quigley's Point at 11.15pm.

No other vehicles were involved in the tragic accident.

Kían died at the scene and the driver of the car suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

His good friend Kyle McDonald posted: “Rest in peace brother, taken way too soon. Wish things could be different. There was so much more memories to be made. Look over the boys the next few days. Fly high, forever 16."

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark Durkan said the crash had left this a "dark" time for all.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families devastated by this tragedy at this dark and unbelievably difficult time," he said.

Don Bosco's FC posted a fitting post on their Facebook page a fitting tribute to the football mad teen, who played for the club.

"Our hearts are sore today. We awoke this morning to the sad news that young Kian Dawson, a player in our 2007 group since the age of 5, had sadly passed after a road traffic accident last night in Donegal.

"Kian and his father Emmett (a coach with our 2007s) have been an integral part of our club for many years, and have given us many wonderful and happy memories that we will cherish forever.

"Kian was the most genuine, well mannered and unassuming young lad you could meet. He was a credit to Don Boscos but more importantly to his mum and dad, Fiona and Emmett.

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"Kian will be forever remembered by his coaches, team mates and friends at Don Boscos. We are also thinking of you all at this heartbreaking time.

"We send our love and deepest condolences to Kians parents Emmett and Fiona, his sister Abigail and to the wider Kirk and Dawson families.

"Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam.

"As a mark of respect, all Don Boscos club activities including training and matches will be called off for this coming week."

St. Columb’s College, the school where Kian attended paid tribute to Kian with a Facebook post.

It said: “It is with deep regret that we learn of the heart-breaking passing of our Year 12 pupil, Kian Dawson, who was involved in a tragic traffic accident on Saturday evening. 

“As a school community, we are truly saddened, and our thoughts and prayers are with Kian’s family. 

“Kian was a keen footballer as well as an engaging and popular pupil, whose personality meant he made friends easily; it should come as no surprise, therefore, to learn that he had a large circle of friends. Kian was about to embark on his chosen career of Barbering, for which he had developed a talent this year. 

“He was deeply respected by his peers and members of staff who worked with him. He will be very much missed by his classmates and teachers alike.

“May he rest in peace.”

Derry City also paid their condolences upon learning about the tragic news of Kian Dawson. 

Their Facebook post said: “Derry City FC is shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Kian Dawson at the weekend.

“Kian and his dad Emmett have been Season Ticket holders at the club for several years and the teenager was also a member of our 'City Cubs' since its inception.

“His untimely death and his family's grief is shared by his many friends at Derry City and across the community.

“We wish to extend our deepest condolences to Fiona, Emmett and Abaígael as well as Kian's circle of family and friends.

“Rest In Peace, Kian.”

Organisers of the Foyle Cup also paid tribute to Kian.

They wrote on Facebook: “Our thoughts are very much with 16 year old Kian Dawson’s family at this time. He lost his life as a passenger in a tragic road accident in Donegal last night.

“Kian has played in ONeills Foyle Cup under the management of his dad Emmet for Don Boscos FC from mini soccer days up until this year.

“Our thoughts are very much with his family, friends and wider community at this time and we ask you all to keep them in your prayers as they come to terms with this traumatic event.

"R.I.P. Kian.”

Kían was the beloved son of Emmett and Fiona, loving brother of Abaígael, cherished grandson of Margaret and the late Noel Kirk and Michael and Michelle Dawson and a much loved nephew and cousin.