The Principal of St. Aidan’s High School, Derrylin has met the PSNI and Transport NI to discuss the implementation of traffic calming measures outside the school after a pupil sustained an ankle injury when he was hit by a car as he crossed the road two weeks ago.

Fourteen year old Michal Prusakiewicz was struck by an Audi A4 outside the school at around 4.05pm on November 17 and suffered a broken ankle. He was taken to the South West Acute Hospital and then transferred to Altnagelvin.

St. Aidan’s High School is situated on the A509 which is on the main route connecting Donegal to Dublin.

Impartial Reporter:

“Roads have become much more dangerous due to the large increase in the volume of traffic in recent years. This is particularly the case with the road passing St Aidan’s, the main Donegal-Enniskillen-Dublin road,” said Principal Pat McTeggart. “The school community feels strongly that appropriate warning signs, traffic calming and crossing measures need to be put in place. We have already met the PSNI and Road Service to determine the maximum possible safeguards that can be implemented as soon as possible.”

Michal’s parents hope he can return to school this week. The talented footballer who plays for St. Aidan’s under 14 and under 16 Gaelic footballs teams and for Enniskillen Athletic is sad to be missing the action as the under 14s and under 16s compete in the Ulster Schools League semi-finals this week. However, his mother reports that “he will support them the whole way”. She is grateful for the support the family received from Derrylin O’Connells coaches Jarlaith Prior and Emmet Curry, Fermanagh GAA, Enniskillen Athletics coaches Jochen Donaghy and Dermot Nolan, Mr. McTeggart and everyone who sent well wishes following Michal’s accident.

Commenting on the accident, Mr. Mc Teggart explained that he had been alerted to the fact that Michal had been involved in an accident while crossing the road after school and that he was attended to by  school staff and family members until the emergency services arrived. 
“Michal is a fine young man who is a model pupil,” he stated. “He has also very ably represented his school, club and county in Gaelic Games as well as playing for Enniskillen Athletic. He plays midfield for the Under 14s and full forward for the Under 16s and will be a huge loss to the teams as they play in the Ulster Semi Finals this week. What is far more important is that Michal makes a full and speedy recovery and returns to school fit and well very soon. 

“We all extend our best wishes to Michal and his family. I also wish to thank the emergency services, school staff, Michal’s family and members of the public for their swift and effective assistance in caring for him.”

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them. Constable Hawthorne stated: “The male was struck by an Audi A4 on Main Street in Derrylin at around 4.05pm. The male sustained an injury to his ankle. We are appealing to anyone that may have any information or to anyone that may have been in the Main Street area of Derrylin at the time and witnessed anything that could help with the investigation to contact Enniskillen Police Station on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 836 on 17/11/16.”