Tears for 'superstar' Daniel (13) killed in motocross accident

Daniel Sheridan

Conor Feehan

Tributes have been paid to a 13-year-old boy from Tallaght who died on the same day he was due to start secondary school.

Daniel Sheridan was involved in a motorbike accident in Derry while practising motocross on coastal dunes outside Limavady on Thursday.

The youngster was a talented motocrosser and was in the North with his family when the accident happened.

His older brother Dean, who is also talented in the sport, paid a poignant tribute to Daniel yesterday.

In a message shared in a post on social media, he described Daniel as a "superstar".

Hero

"My hero, my world, I'll never forget you bro, you were a superstar in the making, you never gave up," he wrote.

"I'll race u again some day up there so I hope you're practising buddy, love u with all my heart, my hero."

The Sheridans, from Friarstown, are well known in the area and compete at a high level in motocross.

Daniel was flown to Altnagelvin Area Hospital for emergency treatment but died there yesterday.

Dean and Daniel's other older Jake are also talented motocrossers.

It is understood that Jake was practising with Daniel on the motocross track in Limavady when the tragedy happened.

Their parents were yesterday travelling home from the North to be comforted by family and friends.

The parents' association at St Killian's Senior School in Tallaght yesterday extended its deepest sympathies to Daniels loved ones.

The school is due to open at midday today for those who would like to gather in remembrance.

Meanwhile, those in the sport in which Daniel thrived also expressed their sympathies.

The Motorcycling Ireland Motocross website posted: "On behalf on all in Irish Motocross we want to offer our support and thoughts to the Sheridan family in this incredibly sad time."

A coast guard helicopter from Prestwick in Scotland and an Irish Coast Guard helicopter from Sligo attended the scene of the accident on Thursday, as did the PSNI.

CPR was administered at to Daniel, but the seriousness of his injuries meant he required urgent hospital treatment.

"The community is in shock following the tragic death of the 13-year-old boy. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult and sad time," said Sinn Fein Assembly member Caoimhe Archibald.

Paramedics

A post on the Coleraine Coast Guard's Facebook page on Thursday said its rescue team prepared a landing site at Bellarena following a report of a serious motorbike accident.

"The Coastguard Team assisted NIAS paramedics and PSNI officers, already on scene, with emergency first aid," it read.

"A landing site was prepared for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 which airlifted the injured teenager to Altnagelvin Hospital."

The PSNI, the Health and Safety Executive and the local council will all investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.