Boy died trying to help friend in difficulty in city lake

Youngster’s death was one of three tragic fatalities over weekend

Lake in Blanchardstown where a boy died after going with a friend to help another who got into difficulty while swimming. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Lake in Blanchardstown where a boy died after going with a friend to help another who got into difficulty while swimming. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

A boy (13) has died after attempting to help a friend who had gotten into difficulties while swimming near an apartment complex in Dublin on Friday.

Ricky Oasagi and a female friend had entered the small lake near Waterville Hall in Blanchardstown to go to the aid of another young girl.

However, it is understood that both of them also got into difficulties.

The three were taken to Temple Street Children’s Hospital where the boy was pronounced dead on Saturday. The two girls, aged between 11 and 14 years, were still receiving treatment yesterday but were expected to make a full recovery.

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With the onset of summer weather this month, Irish Water Safety has issued an appeal for safe swimming practices in order to avoid tragedies.

Key advice they say is to swim in areas where there are lifeguards or are traditional bathing areas and crucially to remain within your depth.

Farm incident

In a separate incident, a man died in Co Cork after getting into difficulties and falling into a slurry tank.

The incident took place at a farm in Kealkill near Bantry at about 5.30pm on Friday.

It is understood the man (37) had been overcome by fumes from the slurry tank and fell in.

Emergency services responded immediately but efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Cork University Hospital.

The Health and Safety Authority is investigating the circumstances of the incident.

In Stradbally, Co Waterford, a male cyclist was killed in a collision with a car just before 7pm on Friday.

Investigation

The incident occurred at Ballyvoile. Gardaí said the man (32) was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital in Waterford where he was later pronounced dead.

No one else was injured in the crash and gardaí closed the road for a full forensic investigation.

So far, in June this year, 10 people have died on the roads. In terms of the year as a whole, there have now been 85 fatalities in 2014.

Gardaí appealed for witnesses to contact Kilmacthomas Garda station at (051) 295630, the Garda confidential phone line at 1800 666 111 or any other station.

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard is a reporter with The Irish Times