Book of condolence to open in memory of Enagh Lough drowning victims

A book of condolence will be opened in Londonderry this afternoon (Wednesday) in memory of two teenagers who lost their lives following an incident at Enagh Lough on Monday evening.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Sandra Duffy, will open the book of Condolence at Derry’s Guildhall at 4pm.

It follows the tragic deaths of 16-year-olds Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian who died after getting into difficulty whilst swimming with friends in the lough.

The boys had been in a larger group who stopped off at the lough while cycling in the area.

They were pupils at St Columb's College in the city.

The bicycles the boys had been riding remained beside the lough on Tuesday which has been cordoned off by police, while some locals visited the small jetty to leave flowers in tribute.

Extending her heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the Simon and Sebastian families and to the wider Kerala community in the North West, Mayor Sandra Duffy said a cloud of grief hung over the city today as people tried to come to terms with the tragic loss.

Extending her sincere sympathy to the families and friends of Reuven and Joseph, the Mayor said her heart went out to those affected by their loss and they were in her thoughts and prayers.

She said: “I hope that the Book of Condolence will give the families some comfort at this difficult time and would encourage people from across the city and district and beyond to sign the book and send messages of support to the families at this difficult time.”

The Book of Condolence will be open for the public to sign from 4pm on Wednesday 31 August and from 9am to 5pm daily.

For those who cannot sign the book in person in the Guildhall they can sign it online here.

Read More:

Newry: man dies after being struck by a lorry

Co. Londonderry: Two 16 year old boys die in drowning incident at Lough Enagh

How to listen to Downtown Radio:

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.

• Derry
• Londonderry
• Drowning
• psni