Tributes have been paid to a “deeply valued and popular” 15-year-old boy who died after an incident at the Donegal International Rally.

Tadhg Callaghan Carter died and two others were injured on Saturday, with the remainder of the event cancelled as a result.

Gardaí said that shortly before 5pm emergency services were alerted after a number of onlookers were injured “in an incident involving a participating car” at Trentagh, near Kilmacrennan.

They said Tadhg was brought by ambulance from the scene to Letterkenny University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Two other spectators are receiving hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Tadhg had just completed his Junior Cert examinations at Saint Eunan’s College in Letterkenny and was preparing to enter fifth year in September.

The school said it was with “profound sadness and a heavy heart” that they learnt of the passing of their student.

“He was a deeply valued and popular member of our school community, and his loss will be felt deeply by his classmates, friends, teachers, and everyone who knew him.”

“We extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to Tadhg’s parents, brother, sisters, extended family and his wide circle of friends at this time of unimaginable grief. Our thoughts, prayers, and support are with them all,” they added.

“As a school community, we will come together to support one another, especially Tadhg’s classmates and friends, over the difficult days and weeks ahead.”

On Monday, the school will open for support. A book of condolence will be available and a short prayer service will be held.

Gardaí said the local Coroner has been notified, a post-mortem examination will be arranged and that the road has since reopened.

They are appealing for witnesses present at ‘Location 15 on Special Stage 12 Gartan’ of the event to contact them.

In a statement, Motorsport Ireland and Donegal Motor Club said that “as a mark of respect” they have cancelled the remainder of the event.

They said they were “deeply saddened” by what had happened and expressed “deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased and ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time”.

Motorsport Ireland said that as the country’s governing body for four-wheeled motorsport, it, along with Gardaí, has begun “a full investigation into the circumstances of the accident”.

Both the organisation and the Gardaí say they are aware video footage of the accident is circulating on social media and have asked the public not to share it.

The three-day event bills itself as “one the toughest rally challenges there is for drivers and teams”.

Participants compete in 20 stages around the north-west coast of the county.

Organisers say it attracts more than 70,000 spectators and almost 400,000 view the rally on TV and online.