'A very sad day for our city': Two teens die in 'tragic drowning incident' in Lough Enagh

Local priest Father Michael Canny said the boys who died were from the local Indian community in the Waterside area of Derry. Picture: Rebecca Black/PA Wire

Two 16-year-old boys have died after getting into difficulty in a lough in Co Derry.

The drowning unfolded at Lough Enagh on Monday evening when a group of teenagers entered the water at a jetty.

The boys had stopped off at the lough while cycling in the area.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said officers were called shortly after 6.25pm to reports of a number of people in difficulty in the water.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said a rapid response paramedic, five emergency crews, a hazardous area response team and an ambulance officer were dispatched.

NIAS also tasked the air ambulance to attend the bank holiday Monday incident.

One of the boys was taken from the water but later pronounced dead in hospital.

The body of the second youth was recovered late on Monday night following extensive searches by Foyle Search and Rescue and police divers.

Another male was taken to hospital for treatment for injuries not believed to be life-threatening, while three others have been left shocked, police said.

Local priest Father Michael Canny said the boys who died were from the local Indian community in the Waterside area of Derry.

“The families involved are very well known here in the Waterside area. They are part of the Syro-Malabar community who worship here at St Columb’s (church) in Waterside,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.

“Fortuitously, their chaplain was here yesterday evening and he was able to console them and to be with the families right up into all hours of the night.” 

'A tragic accident'

Councillor Rachel Ferguson went to the scene.

“The boys were just out for a cycle. They’d gone down and they stopped off at the local jetty,” the Alliance Party representative told Radio Ulster.

“They were both in the water and it seems that one boy has got into trouble and the other boy has gone to help him and unfortunately they were pulled under.

“The other boys [went to] flag down a car and some local residents to try and help. They rang the local services — the emergency services — who were in attendance very, very quickly.

“It’s just a tragic accident that happened within the water.” 

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Sandra Duffy expressed shock and sadness.

“This is a very sad day for our city and district. The sad loss of two teenage lives in such circumstances is devastating for all of us. As a mother, my heart goes out to the boys’ parents and to their family and friends at this time, I hope you get the strength and support you need to get you through your huge loss.

The scene at Lough Enagh. Picture:Rebecca Black/PA Wire

“Our rivers and loughs can be so dangerous and this incident highlights more than ever the need for us all to be vigilant at this time of year. My thoughts are also with the boys’ friends who were there last night and who witnessed the tragedy and to their school friends and teachers who should have been welcoming them back to school this week.

“I want to extend a special note of acknowledgement and thanks to everyone involved in the rescue operation, to the emergency services on the ground and the many volunteers who showed up to help as well all the staff at Altnagelvin Hospital. It has been a very difficult time for all of them and they are all in my thoughts and prayers.” 

Ms Duffy said she was confident that local people would rally behind the family and friends of the boys.

“We are united in our grief today and all of us are here to offer our support to the families in the difficult days ahead,” she said.

PSNI’s Inspector Brogan said: “Inquiries are ongoing into this incident but we believe, at this stage, that this was a tragic drowning incident.

“Our thoughts are with the families of those affected.”