Families mourn tragic honeymoon couple
THEIR love for each other was clear to see on their wedding day.
But just six days later John Rodgers, 28, and his bride Lynette, 26, drowned on their honeymoon in South Africa after getting caught in a rip tide.
Their families issued a joint statement yesterday, expressing their sorrow: “It has come as a great shock to both the Reilly and Rodgers families to learn of the sudden and tragic events in South Africa, which has taken the lives of Lynette and John.
“Our happiness in sharing their recent wedding has been thoroughly devastated. Both were very dearly loved and brought us great joy.”
The couple from Northern Ireland had tied the knot in front of family and friends at the First Presbyterian Church, Holywood, near Belfast.
But on Friday evening the body of Mr Rodgers – an office worker from Ballygowan, in Co. Down – was discovered in shallow surf on Robberg Beach, Plettenberg Bay.
His wife’s body was later found around 200 metres away.
Mrs Rodgers, a physiotherapist from Holywood, had spoken on Facebook about her wedding day and how they were flying off on honeymoon.
“John and myself would like to thank everyone that joined us on Saturday and for all the well wishes! We greatly appreciate it and had the best day ever,” she wrote.
“Heading off today so will speak to everyone when we return! Xx,” she added.
Gordon Dunne, the local member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, who knows the bride’s family, said: “This is an absolute tragedy and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of both the young man and young lady who have sadly passed away.
“For a tragedy like this to happen days after their wedding during their honeymoon is beyond words.
“There is widespread shock and a real sense of numbness within the local community in Holywood at this time, particularly as the young lady was born in Holywood, attended the local schools in the area, and was from a very well respected family. My heart goes out to the grieving families.”