‘Miracle baby’ dies as father’s efforts to save her fail

GRIEF-STRICKEN islanders in West Cork spoke yesterday of a father’s frantic efforts to resuscitate his toddler daughter after she fell into a low-tide inlet.

The girl, the daughter of a Russian couple living on Sherkin Island, died on Wednesday night in Cork University Hospital after a day-long fight for life.

The toddler’s father, Sergei Dunaeva, a doctor, discovered 18-month-old Alénka lying in under two feet of water at an area just off The Lane. He revived her and a faint pulse was detected, locals said.

The child was brought to the pier where a commercial ferry, responding to the emergency, was waiting.

After a seven-minute trip to Baltimore, an ambulance rushed her to Bantry General Hospital. She was later transferred to CUH.

A post mortem was conducted yesterday. Gardaí said it was a tragic accident.

Mr Dunaeva and his wife Olga have two grown-up children, a daughter Masha, 20, at Trinity College Dublin and son Miruslav, 19, a Leaving Cert student in Schull.

Sherkin, under two miles out from Baltimore pier, has a population of 110.

Islanders yesterday, although reluctant to speak publicly, described the family as “very private but highly respected”.

One local revealed that the little girl was regarded as a miracle baby after her mother endured a complicated pregnancy.

The family moved to the island a few years ago and lived about 50 metres from the waterfront. It is believed the little girl wandered down towards the water, where a low wall fronts onto the public road.

After the family realised she was missing, her father discovered Alénka lying in a small pool of water.

An islander, who did not wish to be named, said: “Everyone is shocked and shares in the family’s terrible grief. It’s a very difficult time for them, as they do not have their immediate families around.”

Fr Kevin O’Regan, curate for Rath and the Islands, said the toddler will be laid to rest this afternoon in the old Abbey cemetery after a service in Sherkin’s St Mona’s Church.

“We want to comfort them in their grief. Fortunately, an island family has provided a plot in Sherkin Abbey as only people with family burial rights can be interred there.”

Fr O’Regan added: “They are lovely people and this tragedy has devastated everybody.”