Tributes have been paid to a school principal who died after his car was struck by a falling tree.
Francis Lagan, principal of St Mary’s Primary School in Maghera, Derry, died after the incident on the Dublin Road in Antrim as high winds hit the area during Storm Arwen. He had been travelling with his wife and two of his children when the accident happened.
In a statement the school described him as a much loved member of staff and paid tribute to his “kindness and dedication”.
It said: “The governors, pupils and staff of St Mary’s Glenview are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden, tragic death of our much-loved principal, Mr Lagan.
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“His kindness, dedication and commitment to staff and pupils will be sorely missed.
“Our heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Louise, children Rose, Alice, Beth and Frank, his father Brian, sisters Roisin, Maura, Anne and Brenda and the wider family circle.”
‘Highly respected’
Mr Lagan was also very involved at his local Glen GAA club.
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney said Mr Lagan was a “highly respected principal”.
“I was shocked and very saddened to learn about the death of a motorist after a tree fell on his car while travelling along the Dublin Road in Antrim town on Friday evening,” he said.
“The victim of this tragedy, Francis Lagan, was a highly respected south Derry school principal, who made an immense contribution to the community which he served. Francis was a renowned Maghera educationalist and civic leader.
“My thoughts and sympathies are with his family, school colleagues and students, and the wider community of Maghera, where he was held in very great regard.”
– PA