TWO PALS KILLED IN RIVER FLOOD HORROR
Christmas tragedy as 4x4 washed away & third man escapes
TWO friends drowned when their SUV was swept away as they tried to drive across a flooded river yesterday.
A third man managed to escape and raise the alarm as the vehicle was washed away near Louisburgh, Co Mayo, at 2.30am.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said: “It’s an awful tragedy, particularly on Christmas morning.”
THE bodies of two men were recovered yesterday after their SUV was submerged in water and swept down a river. The victims – named locally as Martin Needham, 27, and 26-year-old Declan Davitt – had been in the vehicle with a friend when they attempted to cross the Carrowniskey River at around 2.30am.
The 19-year-old managed to get out of the jeep and raise the alarm as the vehicle was carried away by strong currents 4km south of Louisburgh, close to Carrownisky Strand, Co Mayo.
The Garda Water Unit arrived at the scene yesterday and local firemen were also involved in recovering the bodies. The three men who were in the jeep were friends from three well-known and popular families in the Louisburgh area.
The bodies of the two men were removed to Mayo University Hospital last night. Local Independent Councillor Christy Hyland said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families.
“It’s a terrible tragedy at any time but particularly on Christmas morning.
SHOCK
“The whole community is in shock. The young fellas were in the prime of their lives.
“Our thoughts go out to their families and loved ones.”
There was a yellow weather warning in place in the early hours of yesterday and it is understood the area surrounding Carrowniskey River was prone to flooding.
Castlebar-based Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne told the Irish Mirror: “It’s an awful tragedy to happen anytime but particularly on Christmas morning.
“It’s heartbreaking and it’s so sad.” Dozens of gardai and the Coast Guard personnel were at the scene yesterday morning and it had initially been suspected that the bodies of the two men may have been in the jeep.
But a short time after the arrival of the Garda divers at lunchtime yesterday it emerged that there was no sign of the men in the submerged vehicle.
Meanwhile, the Sligo-based Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter R118 carried out aerial searches downstream from the accident scene yesterday.
The search was then expanded with gardai and Coast Guard members searching along the riverbank, across Carrowniskey Beach and the nearby Roonagh lake until 4.30pm yesterday.
The bodies of both Martin Needham and Declan Davitt were found just minutes apart yesterday at about 4pm.
The conditions were also described as challenging yesterday after persistent heavy rain overnight.
THE heartbreaking news from Mayo this Christmas is a timely reminder that tragedy can strike at any time.
Two young men lost their lives while another was incredibly lucky to escape with his.
Those driving over the festive break should be extra careful on the roads, particularly at this time of the year when weather conditions can make journeys all the more testing.
Our hearts go out to the two families affected at this difficult time.
Christmas is a time to be surrounded by those you love so make an effort to tell your nearest and dearest how you feel.