Community in mourning over drowning tragedy
A FAMILY has been left "devastated" after a man drowned during St Patrick's Day celebrations in the border village of Belleek.
The 22-year-old, who has not been named, died after experiencing difficulties in the River Erne at around 7.30pm on Wednesday.
SDLP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tommy Gallagher, who knows the young man's family, said they were "devastated".
The drowned man's siblings, who are well-known in the area, have already suffered tragedy in recent years after they lost their father a number of years ago and their mother last year.
Expressing his sympathy, Mr Gallagher said: "The entire community is shocked and distressed about the loss of this young life in these circumstances."
He added: "St Patrick's Day was, as usual, a busy day for Belleek and large crowds were still around when he was seen experiencing difficulties in the water. One individual made a valiant attempt to rescue the deceased.
"Tribute must be paid to that brave individual and I would like to commend emergency services from both sides of the border that were quickly on the scene and did everything possible to locate the body."
Mr Gallagher said emergency services had to contend with poor visibility on a dark night to recover the young man's body.
He added: "In fact it was close to the time when the search was due to end for the night when the body was recovered."
A spokesman for Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) confirmed a Rapid Response Paramedic and an A&E vehicle were dispatched to the scene and maintained a presence until shortly after 10pm when the crew was stood down.
An ambulance from Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, was also in attendance at the scene.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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