Firm ‘devastated’ over employee who died after Donegal river fall
A COMPANY has paid tribute to a man in his 60s from Co Fermanagh who died after falling into a river in Gweedore, Co Donegal.
Ian Smith from Ederney had been carrying out work to upgrade a bridge at the time of his fall on Monday. He was working for Deane Public Works Ltd, a firm based in Enniskillen.
A spokesperson for Deane Public Works Ltd said: “It is with immense sadness that one of our staff members, Ian Smith, has tragically passed whilst working on one of our construction sites in Donegal.
“Ian, who worked with us for 34 years, was a well-respected and highly valued member of the company. We are all extremely shocked and devastated at this tragic loss and extend our deepest sympa- thies to the entire family circle, friends and colleagues at this most difficult time.”
Emergency services were first alerted to the incident on the River Clady when a member of the public called the Malin Head Coast Guard shortly after 11am on Monday.
This triggered a multi-agency response, involving members of the Coast Guard, gardai, the Fire Service, members of mountain rescue, and local divers.
The man’s body was recovered by divers around 200 yards downstream shortly after 2.30pm.
His body was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
A full investigation into the incident will be carried out by the Health and Safety Authority.