Teen killed on 'Ireland's most dangerous road' attended protest for upgrade day before crash
One of two young people killed in a crash on the A5 in Co Tyrone on Tuesday night had attended a protest calling for the road to be upgraded just one day before.
Kamile Vaicikonitye, a 17-year-old pupil at St Ciaran’s College Ballygawley, died in the crash alongside her 19-year-old boyfriend Jamie Moore from Omagh.
The single-vehicle crash involving a blue BMW car happened on the A5 Doogary Road outside Omagh on Tuesday night, April 30, at around 9.50pm.
The school’s principal Paul Lavery has paid tribute to the “bubbly, outgoing” girl who had stood alongside hundreds of pupils at the school calling for change on Monday, April 29.
Mr Lavery said: “The entire St. Ciaran’s community is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our Year 13 pupil, Kamile Vaicikonyte. Kamile was a bubbly, out-going girl who was very popular with both staff and pupils. She joined our school in Year 10 and spoke excitedly about her hopes and dreams, which included going to university. We have been profoundly saddened by her death and our hearts go out to Kamile’s parents, sister and wider family circle; they are foremost in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
19-year-old Jamie Moore died in the crash
“To assist in supporting our pupils and staff through this time of grief, trained staff from the Education Authority Critical Incident Response Team are present in the school to provide support, alongside the school’s pastoral team. A letter has been sent by the school to parents, informing them of this incident and providing information on the support services available throughout the school.”
On Monday St Ciaran’s held a demonstration on the grounds of the school to show its support for the A5 Enough is Enough campaign, Belfast Live reports.
Kamile Vaicikonitye had attended a demonstration by the school calling for the A5 to be upgraded on Monday (PICTURED)
A statement from the school earlier this week calling progress on the A5 upgrade said the school’s history was “invariably linked with the A5”. It says approximately 2,000 people travel to and from the school on the A5 on a daily basis.
It said: “To list names and quote statistics does not do justice to the loss that is felt by families. This is compounded by the fact that carnage continues along the A5, and that road remains an open wound for all impacted.”
More than 50 people have died on the current A5 since the NI Executive first agreed to build the new road in 2007, as a series of legal challenges have scuppered its progress.
Families of former pupils bereaved by crashes that have taken place on the A5 since 2007 were in attendance at the demonstration.
The death of Kamile and Jamie brings the total number of people killed on the A5 since the upgrade was approved to 56.
West Tyrone SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan today described the A5 as “the most dangerous road on these islands”.
He posted to social media: “The current A5 is a substandard road which we are forced to travel on every day. Statistics show that road design, type and maintenance standards all contribute significantly to the number and severity of accidents on roads.
“There is no week that passes without an accident on the A5, sometimes multiple accidents at various sections on the same day. Sadly, it is becoming a daily occurrence.
“The A5 is the most dangerous road on these islands. People are being killed take trips that many take for granted, to the shop, school, work or to visit friends. Many have not returned home. Enough is Enough!”
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