Kathy Sinnott’s son feared drowned in US accident
Kevin Sinnott, 22, who is a final-year student at the Southern Catholic College in Dawsonville, Georgia, was with a group who got into difficulties by a flooded lake near the town.
Ms Sinnott flew out to the US with two of her other sons yesterday morning.
Her son Joady Sinnott confirmed that his brother had been reported missing after going swimming with friends.
A close family friend who spoke to Ms Sinnott just before she left for the US said that she was “understandably very upset but still held out some hope that Kevin may be found alive”.
The Dawson County Sheriff’s Department said they had recovered a body which was thought to be that of a missing college student.
The authorities were awaiting to make a positive identification of the body.
A team of divers taking part in the search operation recovered the body yesterday.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that they were providing consular assistance to the family.
At least seven people have died as a result of severe flooding in the south-eastern United States in recent days.
In Carroll County, Georgia, a two-year-old boy was ripped from his father’s arms by fierce floodwaters while the father struggled to hold on to bushes, officials said.
The floods were set off by torrential rain which pushed rivers and creeks over their banks. Forecasters are warning of more heavy rain and possible flash floods over the coming days.
