Body of drowned teenager found in lake

THE body of a teenager was recovered yesterday following a resumed search on Lough Beltra, Co Mayo.

He was named locally as Alan Joyce, 19, from a family of three children. He came from the small parish of Islandeady, on the shores of the lake. An apprentice tradesman, he is survived by his parents, a brother and sister.

Mr Joyce was a pillion passenger on a jet ski that flipped over at high speeds at about 5.30pm on Sunday.

His companion, who also came off the jet ski, tried unsuccessfully to save him before swimming ashore.

The lake where the accident happened is about 19 kilometres north-west of Castlebar.

An agonising shoreside wait for the family ended at around 10.45am yesterday when divers from Achill Coast Guard recovered the teenager’s body.

The coast guard helicopter from Strandhill, in Co Sligo, and a boat crew from Westport were also involved in the rescue operation with sub-aqua divers, gardaí, the Fire Service and Civil Defence.

The man’s body was brought to Mayo General Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Earlier this month, Irish Water Safety (IWS) executive Roger Sweeney called for greater care to prevent drowning tragedies.

“Water-related tragedies happen in the blink of an eye and it is a tragedy that 131 lives were lost to drowning last year,” he said.