Family tragedy after car plunges into lough

There were unconfirmed reports last night that the family was from the Creggan area of Londonderry.

It is understood six people, including three children, were in the estate car when it went into the water at Buncrana shortly after 7pm on Sunday.

A major air and sea search was mounted and the bodies of two adults and three children of primary school age were recovered.

An infant who was rescued was taken to nearby Letterkenny Hospital for emergency treatment and is in a critical condition.

The exact circumstances of how the car, which had a Northern Ireland registration plate, ended up in Lough Swilly have not been established but it is believed the slipway may have been covered in algae. It is believed the family may have stopped to admire the sunset.

Witnesses have described the scenes as chaotic.

There are unconfirmed reports that the young child, thought to be just months old, was handed or thrown out of a window as the car careered into the water.

Lifeboats, a helicopter, ambulances, the fire brigade and local fishing boats were all involved in the rescue mission. Garda spokesman said: “A car entered the water and a search of the area is currently ongoing.