HOPE WAS fading last night for a 14-year-old boy who went missing after he attempted to rescue a dog from the river Bush at Stranocum, Co Antrim.
James Elliott was swept away by the swollen river at about 3pm on Thursday. He had been out walking at Stranocum with a teenage friend when he tried to assist a labrador dog that appeared in difficulties in the river.
He went into the river to try to help the animal but got into difficulties himself. His friend tried to assist James, but he was fortunate not to be swept away by the strong currents. The friend was rescued, as was the dog.
James’s police officer father Clive Elliot and a friend were quickly on the scene. Mr Elliott was unable to rescue his son.
A major search and rescue operation was mounted, which continued yesterday.
It involved the PSNI, a British Royal Navy helicopter, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Services, the Coast Guard and the Bann River Rescue team.
Local DUP Assembly member Mervyn Storey said people feared the worst. “The situation seems very bleak. It is very difficult when you have the situation when you are hoping that it’s a rescue but it looks more and more like a recovery.”
James is a pupil at Dalriada Grammar School in Ballymoney and is a promising footballer with Linfield youth team.
School principal Tom Skelton said James’s ambition was to be a professional soccer player.
“He is a very bright, bubbly boy, always full of beans. He loved playing football, he was well-liked by his classmates and held in high regard by the staff,” Mr Skelton added.
