THE FAMILY AND friends of Kevin Bell – the young Newry man killed in a hit-and-run in New York at the weekend - are to set up a fund to help the loved ones of those affected by similar tragedies in the future.

A close friend of the 26-year-old, who helped set-up the effort to raise funds for repatriation of his body, says she wouldn’t be surprised if the amount raised tops £100,000 by the weekend. Over £42,000 was raised last night alone at a quiz event in Newry’s Canal Court Hotel.

“We always knew he was hugely popular and that there would be a serious amount of money raised, but no-one could have foreseen this support,” Grace O’Reilly told TheJournal.ie.

Kevin was killed in The Bronx in the early hours of Sunday morning after a night out socialising with friends. It’s believed he was hit by a car that then sped away.

The removal of the young man’s remains from the scene caused some controversy. According to the New York Post,  medical examiners placed his body in the back of a van stuffed with refuse sacks. The paper says authorities are now looking into the circumstances surrounding the transport of his remains.

It’s been confirmed Kevin’s body is due to be repatriated today, following a fundraising drive in New York co-ordinated by the Aisling Center, an immigrant support group. His funeral mass is due  to take place this Saturday.

Grace O’Reilly says the surplus money raised via a credit union account and several fundraising events, including last night’s quiz, will be used to set up the ‘Kevin Bell Remembrance Fund’. The money will go towards helping the families of Irish emmigrants killed in the US, and it’s planned an event in Kevin’s honour will be held every year.

A website has been set up by Kevin’s friends for anyone wishing to donate to the fund.

Read: Newry man, 26, killed in hit-and-run in New York

Read: Emigrant centre warned: Prioritise Irish interests or lose your state funding