Boy, 9, dies in scrambler bike crash with 13-year-old in critical condition

A nine-year-old boy has died and another boy is in a critical condition in hospital after a crash involving scrambler bikes.

The collision happened in Ballymena, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, late on Thursday afternoon.

Both children, who were riding separate bikes, were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, one by air ambulance, after the crash in the Dunvale area of the town's Dunclug estate shortly before 5pm.

The nine-year-old died in the early hours of this morning.

The other boy, who is aged 13, is understood to be in a critical condition in hospital.

One of the boys was taken to hospital by air ambulance (PA)

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has now appealed for witnesses to the collision to come forward.

In a statement, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it responded to a 999 call at 4.47pm.

"NIAS dispatched three emergency crews and a doctor to the scene and also tasked the Charity Air Ambulance, with HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) crew on board, to the incident," a spokesperson said.

"Following assessment and initial treatment one child was flown by Air Ambulance to the Royal Group of Hospitals in Belfast while the other was taken to the same location by ambulance."