PRAYERS WERE offered at Masses in Cork yesterday for a 13- year-old girl who drowned on Saturday evening while on a trip to Inchydoney strand in the west of the county.
A postmortem was carried out yesterday at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork.
The teenager, who is from Waterford, was swimming in the sea at Inchydoney with her 11-year-old sister when they got into difficulty shortly before 6pm.
Irish Coast Guard spokesman Declan Geoghan said they received a phonecall from a French girl on the beach advising them that assistance was required.
The rescue services from Courtmacsherry and Castlefreke rushed to the scene. However, their journey was in vain as the 13-year-old was pronounced dead shortly after she and her sister were rescued from the water by people on the beach.
The teenager’s passing has sent a sense of shock through Inchydoney and nearby Clonakilty as the accident was described as having happened “within seconds”.
Local parish priest Fr Gerard Galvin said he witnessed heartbreaking scenes when he arrived at O’Sullivan’s funeral home in Clonakilty not long after the girl was transferred there on Saturday night.
“Her parents and her sister were grieving and I didn’t want to intrude on their grief. So I just went in and gave her the last rites. The family were traumatised. When I went in her beach togs were propping up her head. It was just the normal things you take for granted that made it so sad – the colourful beach towels, the togs. I said Mass 15 minutes later and I found it upsetting so I can’t fathom how the family must feel. We prayed for the girl at Masses last night and at Masses this morning. ”
Fr Galvin said the area where the girl drowned is known for being a particularly treacherous spot.
He said that paramedics, ambulance staff and people on the beach were deeply saddened at the loss of such a young person.
Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of Irish Water Safety, John Leech, has stressed the importance of vigilance and caution to prevent drowning tragedies during our current spell of good weather. Mr Leech said he was fearful of further tragedies with water temperatures still in single figures in many bathing places.
“Cold water, currents and other conditions on the open water require more energy than does swimming in a pool, many people are not water fit at present so they should exercise great care when swimming.
“No matter what the aquatic sport or aquatic activity you’re involved in, wear your lifejacket or buoyancy aid when on or near the water.”
Mr Leech sympathised with families who have suffered the loss of a loved one this year, and pleaded with people not to swim alone or after eating. He also advised people not to stay in the water too long and to avoid the use of inflatable toys.