Multi-agency safety meeting held to discuss Enagh Lough following teenagers’ deaths
Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian died after getting into difficulty while swimming at Enagh Lough
Last updated 7th Oct 2022
An accident prevention group has been asked to examine safety measures at Lough Enagh in Co Londonderry.
It follows the tragic death of two St Columb’s College school boys in late August.
Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian had been swimming at Lough Enagh when they got into difficulty.
The 16-year-olds were from the city's Indian Keralan community and had been due to return to school after receiving their GCSE results.
The mayor of Derry City and Strabane Council held a multi-agency meeting yesterday (Thursday) to discuss the waterway.
It was agreed the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents would be asked to “carrying out an initial scoping exercise” with a view to assess and provide a report with recommendations on water safety at the amenity.
The meeting was attended by representatives from various interested groups and organisations including Honourable the Irish Society, Enagh Country Park, Foyle Search and Rescue Service, PSNI, Loughs Agency and the Policing and Community Safety Partnership as well as local MLAs, Derry City and Strabane District Council party leaders, independent councillors, and elected representatives from the Faughan DEA.
The meeting heard that while the Council has no statutory responsibility for waterways and water safety or any ownership of lands at Enagh Lough, it has taken a proactive approach through engagement with a range of stakeholders and interested parties to carry out exploratory works to help identify roles and responsibilities at the lough.
It was acknowledged at the meeting that ownership and responsibility for Enagh Lough is fragmented, with several different landowners owning various parts around the edge of the Lough, and some of the bed and soil.
Mayor Cllr Sandra Duffy extending her thanks to everyone for attending.
She said: “Our thoughts and deep sympathies were with the families at this meeting this afternoon.
“It is important that all partners examine and review what happened, and I am confident that input from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents will provide the necessary assistance in reviewing the site and moving forward.”
She added: “In the absence of a lead agency being responsible for Lough Enagh it is imperative that we address this issue in a collective manner and do all we can by working collaboratively towards prioritising water safety and look at responsibility for the lough through partnership working and collaboration in raising awareness, addressing competence and communications.
“I look forward to getting feedback from RoSPA and getting their advice on how we can take proactive steps around safety measures and improvement actions at the Lough. We all have a responsibility to do all we can to prevent another tragedy in this lough.”
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