Teenager dies after river incident near Limavady

The incident happened at Givens Weir on the River Roe

A 15-year-old boy has died after going into the River Roe near Limavady in County Londonderry.

The emergency services were called to the Roe Valley Country Park at about 16:30 BST on Thursday.

It is understood the teenager, who was on a day out with his family, went into the water to retrieve a ball, but got into difficulties.

Emergency services arrived and a helicopter airlifted to Altnagelvin Hospital from an adjacent field.

However, it is believed he may have been in the water for some time and did not survive.

The part of the river where the incident happened is known as Givens weir and is accessible by foot only.

Alan Robinson, a DUP councillor for the area, said: "I'm led to believe that there was a young 15-year-old who had travelled down from somewhere on up the country, the County Antrim direction, who had been playing in the water.

"There was an incident. He was removed from the water and I'm told that he subsequently died later in hospital," Mr Robinson said.

His party colleague, assembly member George Robinson, said the country park was a big tourist attraction, which people sometimes used for camping.

"Everybody here is devastated by what happened to that wee lad," Mr Robinson said.

"I would appeal to people to be on their guard when they're using the water in the soaring temperatures."

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said the boy's death was a "terrible tragedy" and that he had asked his officials for an urgent report on the incident.

"My heart goes out to the family of the teenager and I offer them and his friends my deepest sympathy," he added.