A teenage boy died yesterday when he was struck by a car in the Donegal International Rally outside Letterkenny. Gardai said the boy, aged about 16 or 17, was running across the narrow road when one of the competing cars collided with him.

The driver and co-driver of the rally car were treated at the scene by an ambulance crew.

The body of the victim was still at the scene last night which was being preserved as a Garda forensic team was on its way.

Supt Vincent O'Brien said the accident happened in the townland of Ballyarl shortly before 3.30pm. He said: "The accident happened when a spectator ran out in front of a car as he was crossing the road."

He added: "The road, a back road between Letterkenny and Milford, is very narrow – little more than the width of a car."

There was a huge tailback as a result of the accident and traffic diversions were in operation. Gardai said they could not confirm early reports that the victim was from Strabane.

The three-day rally is organised by the Donegal Motor Club.