Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy, says our city is under a cloud today - as two young boys lost their lives following a road traffic collision in Waterford City yesterday morning.
Gilbert Collins (15) and Abuzwa Idris (17) died after the e-scooter they were travelling on collided with a bus on the R680 Cork Road.
15-year-old Gilbert Collins was pronounced dead at the scene, while his friend Abuzwa Idris died at University Hospital Waterford as a result of his injuries.
Mayor Murphy says people are finding it incredibly difficult to process such a tragedy.
"We can only imagine what both families are going through - for two young boys to die at such a young age. Gilbert went to the local school, St. Paul's and had just completed his Junior Cert and he was a very popular young boy. His good friend Abuzwa was just 17 as well - it's very hard for people in Waterford to comprehend that the two of them have been taken away in such tragic circumstances."
His sentiments were echoed by local Sinn Fein Councillor John Hearne.
"They're absolutely devastated, they can't believe what happened. To hear of the devastation caused to families, people hearing the news, they'll be absolutely devastated.
"It's a great community to have and the whole community will want to wrap their arms around them and mind them as best they can - because this is just absolutely devastating for any family to go through."
"It's a terrible, terrible tragedy. I'm sure everybody is feeling it", said Metropolitan Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. Joe Kelly.
Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Adam Wyse, also offered his sympathies.
"You think of the parents and brothers and sisters involved. You think of the bus driver as well that was involved in a tragic accident.The whole of Waterford seems to be thinking about it and grieving about it, to think that that could be anybody's child. It's the end of exam season - so many people are about to start a new chapter of their lives, and tragically somebody's story is being cut short."
Villa FC have lead tributes to Ibuzwa Idris - who played for the club's U17 team.
"Avu has played for the club for a number of years and was not only a very good player, but above all was a really nice young lad who always had a smile on his face. He loved football, playing with the club and his teammates and only recently took huge pleasure as he & his team won the Under 17 Cup Final."
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