‘Shock and sadness’ as two 16-year-old boys die after ‘tragic drowning incident’ at lake
Two 16-year-old boys have died following a “tragic drowning accident” in Londonderry, police have said. The boys had been in a larger group who stopped off at the lough while cycling in the area.
They were pupils at St Columb’s College in the city.The school said: “It is with both shock and sadness that we have learned of the heart-breaking loss of two of our incoming Year 13 pupils.”No words can express the devastation that we feel as a school community, but first and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with both boys’ families, community and friends.”
Officers and other emergency services were called to a pair of lakes, Lough Enagh, at about 6.25pm on Monday.A “number of people were in difficulty in the water”, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.One of the boys was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was taken to hospital but could not be saved.The boy who died at the scene, in the Temple Road area of Derry, was recovered from the water following “extensive searches by Foyle Search and Rescue and police divers”.
Advertisement
“One other male was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening,” the PSNI added.”Three other males were also at the scene, and while they have been left shocked, are not physically injured.”While inquiries are continuing, officers “believe, at this stage, that this was a tragic drowning incident”.Irish premier Micheal Martin expressed his sympathies to the families of the two boys.”Our hearts go out to their families,” he said.”We can all imagine young people going out to enjoy a beautiful summer’s afternoon.”And for it to end in such tragedy, people availing of and using a water amenity, which we’ve all done in our different times.”
Two 16-year-old boys have died following a “tragic drowning accident” in Londonderry, police have said.
The boys had been in a larger group who stopped off at the lough while cycling in the area.
They were pupils at St Columb’s College in the city.
The school said: “It is with both shock and sadness that we have learned of the heart-breaking loss of two of our incoming Year 13 pupils.
“No words can express the devastation that we feel as a school community, but first and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with both boys’ families, community and friends.”
Officers and other emergency services were called to a pair of lakes, Lough Enagh, at about 6.25pm on Monday.
A “number of people were in difficulty in the water”, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.
One of the boys was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was taken to hospital but could not be saved.
The boy who died at the scene, in the Temple Road area of Derry, was recovered from the water following “extensive searches by Foyle Search and Rescue and police divers”.
“One other male was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening,” the PSNI added.
“Three other males were also at the scene, and while they have been left shocked, are not physically injured.”
While inquiries are continuing, officers “believe, at this stage, that this was a tragic drowning incident”.
Irish premier Micheal Martin expressed his sympathies to the families of the two boys.
“Our hearts go out to their families,” he said.
“We can all imagine young people going out to enjoy a beautiful summer’s afternoon.
“And for it to end in such tragedy, people availing of and using a water amenity, which we’ve all done in our different times.”