DAD & SON DROWN IN LOUGH TRAGEDY
Horror for boy as he sees loved ones die on family fishing trip
A FATHER and son have drowned after a family day out turned to tragedy in Co Donegal.
The pair died while they were fishing on Lough Keel, between Kilmacrennan and Golan, yesterday afternoon.
Details of the exact cause of the tragedy are unconfirmed but it is understood one of the men fell into the water and the second went in to try and help him.
The fishing party, which also included a younger son who survived, are not believed to have been from Ireland.
It is understood the men may have had a holiday home in the area.
Members of Irish Water, who were working in the area at the time, heard cries for help shortly after 2.45pm and sought assistance. Malin Head Coast Guard received the emergency call just before 3pm and scrambled local services.
Members of the Rescue 118 helicopter were dispatched from their base in Sligo while the Mulroy Coast Guard arrived on the scene supported by gardai and ambulance personnel.
Specialist divers from Sheephaven Sub-aqua Unit were also brought in to search the area.
The body of the first victim was recovered early in the operation.
However, it took another couple of hours to locate the second body which was found after 6pm by the divers.
Medical personnel – including a doctor – were also drafted into the scene and both victims were pronounced dead. Their remains were removed to Letterkenny University Hospital where postmortems are expected to be carried out.
Members of the gardai could be seen removing two fishing rods from the scene later in the evening.
A member of the rescue services described the incident as “heartbreaking”.
They added: “To look at the young lad who survived would break your heart. He looked like he was only in his early teens and he was just heartbroken and distraught.
“This was a family who just went out for a day’s fishing and then this happened. It just shows how fickle life can be. It would be good to be able to recover the remains quickly but that’s no consolation to the young lad who has lost his father and brother.”
A full investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy has been launched.
Local county councillor Ian Mcgarvey said safety around water, particularly as the weather gets warmer, cannot be emphasised enough.
He added: “I don’t know the exact circumstances of what happened to this poor family but you just can’t be too careful around water.
“My sympathy goes out to this poor family after what has happened to them.”