The body of a 16-year-old boy was recovered from a sandpit in County Westmeath tonight.
The teenager was playing in the sandpit with a friend on a private farm in Cumminstown, Kilbeggan.
A large quantity of sand collapsed on top of him at around 5pm and suffocated him.
His friend escaped to raise the alarm. A large number of locals took part in the rescue effort.
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Sergeant Ray McMahon of Athlone Garda Station said the teenager's body was taken out of the sandpit by the emergency services at 8.40pm.
The body was being taken to Tullamore General Hospital. The name of the teenager will not be released until all members of the family are notified.