Tributes have been paid to a young mum who died after being struck by a vehicle in Co Down on Valentine's Day.
Michaela Curran, 35, died following the incident in the Bishops Brae area of Downpatrick shortly after 2.30pm on Tuesday.
Emergency services including police and ambulance crews attended the collision but sadly Michaela passed away at the scene.
Read more: PSNI name mum-of-three who died after Co Down crash
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Officers, together with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, received and responded to a report of a road traffic collision in the Bishops Brae area of the town just after 2.30pm.
"Sadly, Michaela passed away at the scene. Michaela’s husband and children are devastated by her death and ask for privacy at this difficult time.
“The road was closed for a period of time, but has now reopened to traffic. Our enquiries are continuing.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for St Colmcille’s Primary School in Downpatrick, which is attended by one of Michaela's sons, extended heartfelt sympathies to her family.
They said: "The St Colmcille’s School Community wishes to extend our heartfelt sympathies to our P6 pupil James and (recent) former pupil Daniel on the sudden passing of their mother Michaela.
"We also extend our condolences to Michaela’s husband Kyle and the Curran/Walsh families at this time.
"St Colmcille pray for Michaela and her family at this very difficult and sad time. May she rest in peace."
Downpatrick SDLP councillor Gareth Sharvin said the local community is in shock and extremely saddened by the news.
He added: "My thoughts and prayers are with Michaela’s husband, children, and the Curran/Walsh/Gordon family circle at this difficult time.
"I know the Downpatrick community will pull together to support the family at this time. Thank you to emergency services who attended the scene of the tragedy. Rest in peace."
Sinn Féin MP for South Down Chris Hazzard added: "Such heartbreaking news from Downpatrick at the loss of such a young mother, Michaela Curran.
"My thoughts are with her young family and the wider clan at this very tough time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam."
Family and friends have also taken to social media to pay tribute to the young mum, who is being remembered as someone who always "had a smile, a heart of gold and put her wee family first".
One friend paid tribute to an "open minded determined young woman" and "a loving mum".
She added: "Those boys (were) your first and last thought every day, such an amazing mum , a doting wife to Kyle, your wee auntie and granny (were) the centre of your world."
Another said: "Such sad news. She was such a beautiful person. Still can’t believe it."
"Absolutely devastated to hear this news last night. She was a beautiful person and will be so missed by all. Thinking of her family and friends at this time," added a third.
Michaela was one of three people have been killed in separate car crashes across Northern Ireland in one day.
A few hours later on Tuesday, a pensioner died in a crash in Co Antrim. Police said the man, in his 70s, was killed in a collision between a car and a motorbike in the Bann Road area of Ballymoney at around 6.25pm.
A man in his 40s also died on Tuesday evening. Police said the man, who was a pedestrian, was struck by a vehicle in the Randalstown Road area of Antrim just after 10pm.
Police are investigating the three crashes and have appealed for witnesses to any of them to come forward and speak to officers.
According to PSNI statistics, five people had been killed on Northern Ireland’s roads this year as of Monday, February 13.
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