AN UNEXPECTED change in the tide has been blamed for claiming the life of a 13-year-old schoolboy in a swimming accident on the river Foyle.
Brian McDaid, described locally as a popular and “very caring” young man, drowned when he became trapped on a mud bank while playing in the river with two friends on Monday. The schoolboy, from Ardnameala, St Johnston, will be buried tomorrow.
His parish priest Msgr Dan Carr said yesterday that the river in that area was a popular recreation spot with local youngsters.
“The boys walked out to a little bit of raised land out on the river. It was something like a small island. They got there safely and, like all boys would do, they ventured on to another little bit of raised ground and got there safely.
“But totally unknown to the unsuspecting children, the tide turned and very soon the mud and sand that was once firm and strong became soft and just wasn’t able to support the weight of the children,” he said.
Msgr Carr said two of the boys made it back to the first piece of raised ground but Brian failed to do so. “Regrettably, he got trapped in what local fishermen call a blind hole in the river and he wasn’t able to free his feet from the mud.”
When the alarm was raised shortly before 6pm on Monday, a fisherman who knew that part of the river pinpointed the most likely area to search. An Irish Coast Guard helicopter flew to the scene from its base at Strandhill, Co Sligo. A PSNI helicopter from the North also joined the search for a period after Malin Head Coast Guard station was alerted.
Two inshore rescue vessels from Greencastle went to the scene as well as a Foyle search and rescue boat and a local boat. Dozens of villagers scoured the banks of the river for three hours after the accident was reported.
Msgr Carr said: “It was some consolation to the boy’s family that his body was recovered before darkness fell. It was a really dreadful tragedy on such a beautiful day. The entire community has been numbed.”
Brian, the second eldest in a family of two boys and two girls, was a first-year pupil at Deele College in Raphoe. The school’s principal, PJ McGowan, said counselling was offered to Brian’s friends and classmates yesterday.
Mr McGowan said he was a popular pupil and would be sadly missed. “He was a very caring young man, a popular young man and a good student at the school. It’ll be a sore loss to the school.”
Family friend Mary Crossan, who comforted Brian’s mother Geraldine, said: “It’s going to take a while for her to come to terms with it and accept what has happened. It is just unbelievable that anybody has to endure this. There was just a great sense of helplessness.”
Brian’s remains were removed yesterday from Letterkenny General Hospital to his home. The funeral tomorrow will follow requiem Mass in the adjoining St Baithin’s Church, St Johnston.