Tragic news as police confirm 11-year-old boy dies following road traffic collision in Belfast

Mason Keilhauer, from the Shankill area

A community in Belfast is mourning the loss of an 11-year-old boy who has died following a road traffic collision on the Shankill Road on Saturday evening.

The child has been named by police as Mason Keilhauer, from the Shankill area. He died after being struck by a vehicle shortly after 7pm.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said officers received a report of a collision involving a grey BMW X5 and a male pedestrian near the junction of Dover Street.

Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson confirmed the details of the incident and the ongoing investigation.

“At approximately 7.25pm on Saturday evening, we received a report of a collision involving a grey BMW X5 and a male pedestrian, close to the junction of Dover Street.

“The boy was taken to hospital following the collision however, has since very sadly died.

“A 34-year-old man was arrested at the scene and has been released on bail pending further police enquiries.

“The Shankill Road was closed for a number of hours but has since re-opened.

“Collision Investigation Unit detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances of this collision and I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or to anyone who may have CCTV or other footage that could assist with enquiries, to contact 101 quoting reference number 1365 07/03/26.”

The road remained closed for several hours on Saturday night while emergency services attended the scene and investigators carried out examinations.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Collision Investigation Unit are now working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police are urging anyone who may have been in the area at the time, or who may have dash-cam, CCTV or other footage, to come forward as enquiries continue.

At a glance

• An 11-year-old boy, Mason Keilhauer, has died following a road traffic collision in Belfast.

• The incident happened at around 7.25pm on Saturday 7 March on the Shankill Road near Dover Street.

• The collision involved a grey BMW X5 and the young pedestrian.

• Mason was taken to hospital after the crash but later died from his injuries.

• A 34-year-old man was arrested at the scene and later released on bail pending enquiries.

• The Shankill Road was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

• Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with footage to contact them quoting reference 1365 07/03/26.