HEARTBREAKING | Young Ballymena boy dies after motorbike accident

A family has been left heartbroken after a nine-year-old Ballymena boy died in

the early hours of this morning (17 June) following a tragic accident in the Dunclug area of the town yesterday afternoon.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed the sad news in a statement released on Friday.

A police spokesperson commented:

“He died in hospital as a result of his injuries after a collision between two bikes that occurred on Thursday, 16th June at around 4.55pm.

“A second boy age 13 was taken to hospital and is understood to be in a critical condition this morning.

“A full investigation is underway and Detective Sergeant Neil Harrison is appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has mobile phone footage which could assist officers with their enquiries, is asked to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 1342 of 16/06/22.”

Following the collision, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) told Love Ballymena yesterday evening:

“NIAS received a 999 call at 16:47 following reports of two children having been injured following a biking incident in the Dunclug area of Ballymena this afternoon.

“NIAS despatched three Emergency Crews and a Doctor to the scene and also tasked the Charity Air Ambulance, with HEMS crew on board, to the incident.

“Following assessment and initial treatment one child was flown by Air Ambulance to the Royal Group of Hospitals in Belfast while the other was taken to the same location by ambulance.”

Well-known in the community, many have taken to social media to share their shock and condolences at the devastating news.

A family friend posted on social media on Friday morning:

“Heaven gained a very special angel with a beautiful smile and beautiful nature. Charlie Joyce in the arms of the angels now, God help all his family who are deeply heartbroken. RIP beautiful boy.”

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams, says that he is devastated to hear that one of the children has passed away following the serious scrambler biking incident in the Dunclug area yesterday evening. He said:

"I am deeply saddened by the news that a young boy has passed away following yesterday evenings incident and I wish to

offer my condolences to his family.

"My thoughts and prayers are with both families and I ask that they are given the space they need at this very difficult time.

"I would like to thank the emergency services and in particular the Air Ambulance for their quick response to this incident and for getting the children the medical assistance needed.”

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has expressed his condolences following the tragic death of young Charlie.

The North Antrim MLA said:

“The local community has been shocked and saddened at this tragedy. It is particularly devastating given the age of young Charlie Joyce.

“My thoughts and sympathies are obviously with his family, his young friends friends and his loved ones.”

SDLP Ballymena Councillor Eugene Reid also expressed his condolences to the family.

Cllr. Reid said:

“I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of the nine-year-old child who has tragically died following the serious motorcycle accident yesterday in the Dunclug area. The news of this death will come as a huge shock to the local tight-knit community. To lose a child, especially in these circumstances, is just horrendous and my thoughts are with the child’s family as they struggle to cope with the worst news imaginable for a parent.

“I would also like to express my sympathies with the other child involved in this incident and their family. I know the whole community will join me in wishing them a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with them as they receive medical treatment.”

“I also thank those local people who tended to the injured immediately after the incident and who are undoubtedly traumatised by the incident, as well as to the emergency services who administered first aid and ensured the injured got the best medical treatment possible.”