Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Sandra Duffy, has this afternoon opened a Book of Condolence to the young teenage boys who died in a drowning tragedy on Monday evening at Enagh Lough.
The Mayor has expressed her shock and sadness at the sudden death of the 16-years-old which has devastated the city of Derry.
The Book of Condolence is for Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian who tragically drowned after getting into trouble at Enagh Lough after an afternoon out on their bikes.
The book opened this afternoon, Wednesday, August 31, at the Guildhall at 4 pm.
Those ounable to visit the Guildhall can sign online via: http://derrystrabane.com/mayor
Extending her heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of the two 16-year-old boys whose lives were so tragically lost in the accident at the Lough, the Mayor said she was deeply saddened at the news and there was a huge sense of sadness across the city and district at the news.
“This is a very sad day for our city and district.
Joseph Sebastian and Reuven Simon
“As a mother, my heart goes out to the boys’ parents and to their family and friends at this time, I hope you get the strength and support you need to get you through your huge loss.
“Our rivers and loughs can be so dangerous and this incident highlights more than ever the need for us all to be vigilant at this time of year.
“My thoughts are also with the boys’ friends who were there last night and who witnessed the tragedy and to their school friends and teachers who should have been welcoming them back to school this week.
“I want to extend a special note of acknowledgement and thanks to everyone involved in the rescue operation, to the emergency services on the ground and the many volunteers who showed up to help as well all the staff at Altnagelvin Hospital.
“It has been a very difficult time for all of them and they are all in my thoughts and prayers.”
Mayor Duffy said that she was confident the local people in the Derry and Strabane area would rally behind the family and friends of the boys as they come to terms with their loss.
“We are united in our grief today and all of us are here to offer our support to the families in the difficult days ahead,” she concluded.
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