THE heartbroken dad of one of the Monaghan crash victims has told how he desperately tried to save her life at the scene.
Frankie McCann's daughter Kiea, 17, tragically lost her life alongside her best friend Dlava Mohamed, 16, in the collision on the N54 at Legnakelly near Clones, Co Monaghan, at around 7pm on Monday.
The students, of Largy College in Clones, were on their way to their Debs ball when tragedy struck.
Mr McCann immediately rushed to the crash site after getting a call about the devastating incident.
The dad-of-10 said he did all he could to save Kiea and Dlava but it was too late.
He said: "I got out there as quick as I could and tried to revive them with a woman that was there also.
"I had to move from my daughter to her best friend, but there was nothing I could do. All I could do was ask that they be put lying together.
"There was great excitement here in the house before they went out. We had food and champagne and balloons, and it was going to be a great night."
Speaking to the Independent, he added: "They could have got a coach out to the hotel, but they wanted to drive in style, and my friend has a white BMW and he agreed to drive them. We had put red bows and everything on the car."
Mr McCann told of Kiea's plans to study childcare in college this September.
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The motorbike-loving dad also told how he would treasure the memories of a trip to a rally in Kildare with Kiea last Saturday.
Frankie said: “I have a few bikes and Kiea loves them, so we went to the rally and she really enjoyed it.”
Another family member told the Irish Sun: “They really were on top of the world. It was their big night.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Mourners flocked to the McCann family home in Clones today to support reeling relatives left “numb” by the tragedy.
Kiea’s mum Teresa told how the two road crash victims had been “great pals” since they both moved to Clones at around the same time eight years ago.
Teresa said: “It will be hard on all the young people. Hard on all the friends.”
Kiea’s sister Shaunice McCann also spoke of her heartbreak.
SISTER'S PAIN
Sharing a photo of Kiea in her Debs dress, Shaunice said: “I really don’t know what to say I’m just so heartbroken over you my little baby sister I have no words to describe the emotions going through me right now.
“I really don’t know what to do without you. I am just so lost and don’t understand how something like this could just happen to you and I just hope you know that we all love you so much.
“And I would do anything just to have you here with me one last time just to tell you that I love you and need you.
“You were taken from us too soon, your life just starting to begin and you can no longer enjoy it.
“You were such a strong beautiful loving caring girl and very thick headed but I would never change anything about you, rest easy princess and look over us.
“I will never forget you or the great times we had you hold a big special part in my life and that will never change.
“I will never understand why life is so cruel to take such a special person like you out of it. I love you forever baby.”
'INNOCENT' SOULS
Another 18-year-old girl in a critical but stable condition after the crash and an 18-year-old boy with non-life threatening injuries are currently receiving treatment in Cavan General Hospital.
The male driver of the car, aged 60, is in a critical condition and currently receiving treatment in Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
Obituaries for the two young teenagers killed in the crash, on the N54 at Legnakelly near Clones, Co Monaghan, were posted yesterday.
Dlava Mohamed was remembered as a "much loved" daughter with friends who will miss her dearly in the devastating tribute.
Both notices added that they hope the girls "young and gentle innocent" souls rest in peace.
Largy College principal Sharon Magennis visited the bereaved families yesterday.
The principal told how students and staff are in “deep shock” after learning about the “devastating accident that resulted in the untimely and tragic loss of two cherished members of our school community”.
Magennis said: “It is with profound sadness and grief that we have learned about the devastating accident that resulted in the untimely and tragic loss of two cherished members of our school community.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends who have tragically lost loved ones. The other individuals involved in the accident also remain in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”
Largy College opened to support shocked students and staff.
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Magennis said: “Our priority now is the wellbeing and welfare of the students, parents and staff at this difficult time. The Largy College Critical Incident Team has met to coordinate a response and to enact the Critical Incident Plan.
“We are grateful to the public for their deeply felt expression of support and ask that we be given the time and space to concentrate on supporting those in the school community who are most in need.”
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