St. Patrick's Celebration Turns Deadly, Northern Ireland Community Mourns

What was supposed to be a day of celebration took a tragic turn for three teenagers in Northern Ireland as they were killed on Sunday while planning to spend the night out in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

A 17-year-old girl, a 17-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old boy are thought to have been crushed as they tried to enter a disco in Co Tyrone. One of the teenagers died at the scene while to other two succumbed to their injuries at a hospital.

While information is still developing, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service medical director Dr. Nigel Ruddell told the Irish Times, “We are of an open mind...it looks like a crowd of young people, a large crowd, pushing up against the front of the hotel to get into this event. People then seem to have fallen and then got crushed. I would urge you to use that with some caution. Certainly, it appears to be at the minute a crush, people have fallen and then been fatally injured."

Police are expected to interview attendees to learn more about what exactly took place, as reports initially claimed there seemed to be a fight that broke out, which led to the stampede.

Social Democratic and Labor Party Stormont Assembly member Patsy McGlone said the community is shocked. “People are feeling at a low ebb this morning, it is a huge loss to the community. Youngsters going out for a night at the disco on St Patrick’s night. Their families think they are safe and then the news turns differently.”