PRAYERS FOR ACCIDENT VICTIM STEPHANIE

Stephanie Shannon, a year eight pupil at Banbridge Academy, was hit by an Audi car last Monday March 22 close to the junctions of the Leopogues, Edentrillick and Ballynahinch Roads - known locally as McAdam's junction.

Since then her parents Deirdre and Brian, her sister Ellen and brother Rory, who live in Hillsborough, have kept an agonising bedside vigil as they wait for Stephanie, who is in a critical condition, to wake up.

Messages of support for the schoolgirl have come flooding in on her facebook page, with friends offering their thoughts and prayers to a popular classmate.

One message reads, "miss you soooo much Stephanie lifes too boring without you and we are praying and hoping for you to get well soon and to recover soon.

"Love you and get well soon Nd when you wake up you'll have about a million visitors all wanting to see you! Get well soon xoxo. Kisses and hugs from everyone! Xoxo"

Stephanie's mum and aunt have been keeping concerned friends updated about her condition and revealed they are playing music by Lady Gaga, Pink and the hit television show Glee in her hospital room in the hope it might speed her progress.

It is thought it could take weeks before the tragic schoolgirl, who is a long-time member of the Ballyvally Archers, alongside her mum and brother, wakes up.

Chairman of the club Frank Mulligan said Stephanie is a very popular member of the team and countless members have offered their support to the family at this time.

"Deirdre had asked me to thank all those who sent emails and other words of support and to keep everyone updated about Stephanie's progress," said Mr Mulligan.

"It is especially upsetting for one group of teenage girls in the club, of which Stephanie is a part, who met through the Archers."

McAdam's junction, a recently resurfaced road, is no stranger to accidents and is not far from the notorious Cairns crossroads which has been the subject of a long campaign to improve visibility for traffic in the area.

Paul Stewart, PA to Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson, said he has been inundated with calls and visits from people concerned about the crossroads in light of Stephanie's accident.

Mr Stewart told the Leader the issues will be raised at a meeting on April 19 with Roads Minister Conor Murphy.

Offering his sympathy to the family Mr Stewart said, "My thought and prayers are with the child involved and with the family. I know what they are going through after the loss of my brother in a road accident earlier this year."

When contacted, Banbridge Academy principal Raymond Pollock was unavailable for comment.

Anyone with information about the accident which occurred at 4.10pm should contact police by calling 0845 600 8000.