A Co Derry community is "heartbroken" and "in absolute shock" following the death of a schoolgirl who entered the Moyola River in Castledawson.
Emergency services attended the scene in Castledawson on Sunday morning after a report of a female in the water. She was recovered from the water just outside the village but, sadly, later died in hospital.
SDLP councillor for the area, Denise Johnston, told Belfast Live: "The alarm was raised at about 20 past five in the morning. She was in the water for over an hour. The Lough Neagh rescue crew, one of their teams pulled her out a wee bit outside Castledawson.
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"They started to give her CPR once she was recovered and continued to do that until the ambulance crew arrived. Unfortunately, she had passed. She was a much loved daughter, their only daughter.
"It's a parent's worst nightmare. The community are absolutely heartbroken for the family and in absolute shock for the family and for her."
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Police responded to a report in relation to a female in the water in the Castledawson area. Officers attended the scene, together with colleagues from other emergency services, where the female was rescued from the water.
"Sadly she later died in hospital. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time."
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English (United States) ·