'Unthinkable tragedy': Teen's body recovered from Lough Swilly after major sea search

The body of an adult teenager, who got into difficulty while swimming in Lough Swilly, has been recovered from the water off the Donegal coast.

The body of the deceased male was recovered shortly after 9pm on Saturday following a major multi-agency operation in Buncrana.

Two other teenagers - both juveniles - have been hospitalised with one said to be in a ‘serious’ condition.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public at around 4pm after the group encountered difficulty.

The Malin Head Coastguard mounted a large-scale sea search for the other person.

Several family members and close friends stood at the shore front frantically awaiting news.

Approaching nightfall, the body of the young male was recovered by the Greencastle Coast Guard Unit and was transferred to Buncrana Pier.

The coroner for County Donegal, Dr Denis McAuley, has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course

“The sadness is unimaginable and once again Buncrana and the Inishowen area has been hit with such an unthinkable tragedy,” said Sinn Fein Councillor Jack Murray, the Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District. 

“Everybody across the community is numb with this news. These people and their families are in our thoughts.”

Lifeboats scoured the calm waters of Lough Swilly while a fleet of local seamen combed areas closer to the coastline in a desperate search for the body of the third male.

Several local lifeboat units were dispatched to the scene and the Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo and local Garda units were also involved. Around a dozen local boats are also assisting in an area of the water close to Ludden Beach.

One of the teenagers was able to swim to the shore and an another was rescued from the water. Both were taken to hospital. Two ambulances located at Buncrana Pier for a time were escorted by Garda mortorbikes to Letterkenny University Hospital.

Councillor Murray said: “Our emergency services have once again demonstrated courage and professionalism in unthinkable circumstances. We have been hit with so many tragedies and horrendous events in this area. Each time the emergency services are called upon, they stand up without fail.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said: “The Coast Guard would like to thank all the search and rescue units and members of the public who were on scene for their assistance in the search.”