Teenager dies following jet ski accident on Lough Derg

A man, believed to be aged in his late teens, has died in a jet skiing accident on Lough Derg in Co Clare. Two girls who were also on the jet ski managed to swim to safety, after it flipped over and threw them into the water in Killaloe on Wednesday evening. The Killaloe Coast Guard Unit was sent to the scene shortly before 5:30pm and began a search, along with the local Fire Brigade and the Rescue 115 helicopter from Shannon. Páraic McMahon is Head of News at the Clare Echo. He told Newstalk Breakfast it is believed the young man was not wearing a life jacket. "Two of these girls, who had been on the jet ski, were wearing life jackets and managed to get safety to the side of the lake," he said. "The young man did not emerge from the water. "It was close to 7:30 by the time the man's body was discovered by the bridge, close to where the accident happened. "It has since been removed to University Hospital Limerick for a post mortem. "The man is understood to be aged 19, approaching his 20th birthday, and from Limerick city". Mr McMahon said an investigation is underway. "The Gardaí have already begun the process of taking eyewitness statements following the tragedy," he said. "The Marine Casualty Investigation Board will also be involved in the investigation, as it was a water-based incident," he added. #ireland #news #newstalk