*Photograph: RTÉ
A YOUNG MAN has died in Killaloe following an incident with a jet ski.
On a glorious summer evening’s in Killaloe, tragedy struck when three teenagers were on a jet ski in Lough Derg and they were flipped into the water at approximately on Wednesday evening.
Two girls who had been on the jet ski were wearing life jackets managed to get to safety after this while the young man did not emerge from the water, he went underwater close to the ESB Mill Yard in an area known locally as Between the Waters.
Action began immediately on a search operation which involved the Killaloe Coast Guard which was located near by tasked to the incident at 5:05pm, Killaloe/Ballina search and rescue, a unit from Killaloe Fire Station and the Rescue 115 helicopter from Shannon.
At approximately 7:30pm, the man’s body was discovered by the bridge close to where the accident happened and was then removed to University Hospital Limerick for a post-mortem. The man is understood to be aged nineteen and from Co Limerick. The Clare and Fire Rescue Service was stood down at 8pm.
An Garda Síochána have already began the process of taking eye witness statements following the tragedy. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board will also be involved in the investigation.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport stated, “Late this afternoon, the Irish Coast Guard was alerted to an incident where a jet ski had gotten into difficulty in the area between Ballina, Co. Tipperary and Killaloe, Co Clare. Valentia Coast Guard coordinated a search and rescue operation in conjunction with An Garda Siochana and the National Ambulance Service.
“Shannon based Coast Guard helicopter R115 and Killaloe Coast Guard Unit were tasked to the scene. Two casualties made their way to shore. Following a further search of the area, a third casualty was recovered who has unfortunately lost his life. The Irish Coast Guard extends their sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased,” it added.
