A 19-year-old man has died following a jet ski accident in Clare on Wednesday evening, May 31st.
The teenager has since been named locally as Wassiou Ayawe, a native of Limerick city who was an underage footballer with Limerick FC. He played as a forward for the club.
In a statement to JOE, a Garda spokesperson said the incident occurred in Lough Derg at Killaloe, with Gardaí and other emergency services attending the scene following reports of a male getting into difficulty in the water.
"Following an extensive search by Gardaí, the Killaloe Coast Guard, the Killaloe/Ballina Search and Rescue, and the Killaloe Fire Service, the body of one male (19 years) was recovered and pronounced deceased at the scene," they said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department of Transport told JOE:
"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."
Speaking about the incident on
RTÉ's Morning Ireland, chairperson of the Killaloe-Ballina Search and Recovery Unit Tony O’Brien described it as a "very tragic accident" that occurred at a "popular place for young people". He also said it has "cast a very dark shadow over the community".
"A young man and his friends were out enjoying themselves on the water and an incident occurred," he explained, adding that the two survivors were female.
"Exactly what happened is still a matter for investigation and the Gardaí are trying to find out.
"But something happened with the jet ski and the young man was thrown off of it, as were his friends, and he lost his life unfortunately."
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