Five killed and child saved as car slips off pier in Donegal

Five people are feared dead after what is believed to have been a tragic accident in Co Donegal last night.

Five people, including at least two children, are understood to have drowned after their vehicle entered the water close to Buncrana pier.

The incident happened at around 7.15pm.

It is understood that a fourth child was rescued from the water after somehow being thrown from the vehicle.

That child is now in Letterkenny University Hospital and their condition is not yet known.

It is not known how the alarm was first raised, but numerous emergency response teams were in attendance at the scene of the tragedy last night, in addition to the Rescue 118 helicopter.

Sad to see so many flashing blue lights in Buncrana! #Buncrana #donegal pic.twitter.com/RExQpv7Ixs

— Liam (@WilliamHGrant) March 20, 2016

An eye-witness at the scene told the Donegal Daily website last night that the scene at the pier was very distressing.

“I am looking at a number of people, I don’t know how many yet, and they are covered with blankets,” said the eyewitness.

“Nobody knows what happened.

“It is just so sad but so distressing.”