Updated 5.08pm

AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD HAS died after he, his mother, and five siblings were hit by a car while on their way to school in Co Antrim earlier this morning.

Four of the children and their mother are currently in hospital, some of them seriously injured.

One child was uninjured and is being looked after by a relative.

The PSNI arrested an 18-year-old man following the incident.

Four emergency vehicles, a rapid response paramedic, and other medical staff were sent to the scene at Loughill Road in Cloughmills this morning.

The eight-year-old has been named by police as Adam Gilmour.

Speaking this evening, Area commander for Ballymena, Chief Inspector Stephen McCauley, said:

“This fatal collision brings the number of fatalities on our roads this year to 69. The fact that a child has died on the way to school this morning heaps tragedy upon an already stark figure.”

“It is too early to comment on the circumstances pertaining to this particular collision,” he added, but called for all motorists to “take stock today”.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the PSNI.

Originally published 12.25pm