Accident victim was star footballer and athlete

A SOD-TURNING ceremony due to have been performed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny in his native Castlebar this morning (Friday) has been cancelled due to a local tragedy.

Eighteen-year-old Melissa Patterson from Hollow Grove, Castlebar, a star footballer and athlete, passed away overnight at Mayo General Hospital.

Ms. Patterson, an identical twin, was struck by a passing car while walking at Breaffy on the N60 at around 5.30 p.m. yesterday (Thursday).

She died in hospital at around midnight after family and members of her 2015 Leaving Certificate class had gathered to say farewell to her.

A sod-turning ceremony for a new swimming pool in Castlebar, which was to have been performed by the Taoiseach at 11 a.m. today (Friday), was cancelled when news broke of the tragic death.

Mr. Kenny said that he personally, his family and the wider community were 'heartbroken' to learn of the tragedy.

Ms. Patterson, who sat her Leaving Cert in June, was one of a family of four, three girls and a boy.

She excelled in Gaelic football, soccer and athletics, and was a member of the Davitt College team which unsuccessfully contested the All-Ireland B final in March.

The driver of the car involved in the accident, an 83-year-old woman, was admitted to Mayo General Hospital and detained overnight. A male passenger was also treated in hospital but was discharged later.