A Co Tyrone school has paid tribute after one of its former pupils was killed after a tree fell on his car during high winds caused by Storm Éowyn.
Kacper Dudek (20) was fatally injured during the incident on Friday morning.
He was a past pupil of Holy Cross College in Strabane.
It said today: “The Holy Cross College community sends our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of our past student, Kacper Dudek, who has sadly passed away. May Kacper’s gentle soul rest in peace.”
Former pupils also paid tribute.
One said: “I remember from years ago… he was such a kind and mannerly young man.”
Another said: “Kacper never failed to make us all smile, was a pleasure to have him in our form class.”
Gardaí said they were alerted to a “serious road traffic incident” at Feddyglass, Raphoe, Co Donegal at approximately 5.30am.
“Subsequently gardaí and local emergency services have attended the scene where during Storm Éowyn a tree fell on a car,” a Garda spokesperson said.
His body has been now removed from the scene to the mortuary in Letterkenny University Hospital where a post mortem will take place in due course.
The N14 remains closed and local diversions are in place.
Garda Forensic Collision investigators are conducting a full examination of the scene this morning.
“A Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to provide support to the family of Mr Dudek,” a Garda spokesperson said.
“Investigations are ongoing,” they added.
The incident has shocked the local community, said local councillor Patrick McGowan.
“Everybody is very shocked and were very wary because of the weather, but no one expected this to happen. We are all very, very shocked and send condolences to his family and friends,” said Mr McGowan.
“The storm would have just maybe been starting at that stage. It was certainly very unfortunate to not have reached home safely before the storm really kicked in. Everybody is still in shock.”
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