A teenager who died in a quad bike accident has been remembered by his family as someone who was “always thinking of others before himself”.
There has been an overwhelming outpouring of sympathy for the parents and family of Isaac Roxborough (14).
The teenager died following an accident on the Ballygudden Road near Eglinton on Tuesday.
His family said he was “a laid back, care free, happy boy who was at his happiest when out on the farm”.
In a statement, they said Isaac was always thinking of others before himself.
“He will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure to know him not least by his immediate family, mum Katrina, dad Mark and his two brothers Adam and James.”
Isaac was a keen footballer, popular musician, and farmer.
Speaking to The Irish News, Darren Mornin, principal of Limavady High School, said everyone was “shocked”.
“Isaac was one of our most popular pupils. He was a bubbly, outgoing boy, very popular with both staff and pupils,” he said.
“He had a great sense of humour. He loved Rangers Football Club, his farming and his band. He was a caring and friendly character who will be dearly missed by his classmates, his form class and the wider Limavady High School community.”
Church of Ireland Minister Reverend Mark Loney said the Roxborough family was “devastated”.
“It is a huge loss to his family and a huge loss to our community, to our church, where he was very much involved. He loved serving and helping in whatever way he could,” he added.
“Isaac was a very humble young man.”
Isaac was from the Burnfoot area of Dungiven, where, as a mark of respect, the Burnfoot Community Centre will remain closed for the next two days.
The New Gate Arts and Cultural Centre in Derry’s Fountain area also closed on Thursday as a mark of respect.
Isaac was a former member of Newtowne Youths Football Club in Limavady, where he was recalled as always having a smile on his face “irrespective of the result” and “giving his all in every match he played”.
In an online tribute, the Building Cultural Networks organisation described Isaac as “an outstanding young man, embedded in cultural expression”.
“Isaac was never found wanting. He would be out volunteering within this project, helping out where he could in Articlave, Londonderry, and Burnfoot, with their cultural festivals, bonfires and workshops, when he wasn’t enjoying his other love of farming,” it added.
