Monday, March 21, 2016

Update 11.40pm: Gardaí, Emercency Services and the Coast Guard attended the scene following reports that a car had entered the water at Buncrana Pier.

A search of the area was carried out and five bodies were recovered from the water, three males, one adult/two children and two females, one adult and the age of the second to be established.

The five bodies were taken to Letterkenny General Hospital where post mortems are to be arranged.

A baby girl was rescued from the car, with the assistance of a bystander. The baby is currently in a stable condition at Letterkenny General Hospital.

Update 10pm: It is understood that an infant was recovered from the water and has been taken to hospital.

The infant is thought to have been thrown from the vehicle as it headed into the water.

Update 9.50pm: It is now being reported that five people have died.

A spokesperson for the RNLI has confirmed that their lifeboat crew have taken six people from the water in Lough Swilly tonight.

There are conflicting reports as early details emerge from the scene.

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Five people have died after a car went off the pier at Buncrana, Co Donegal

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 20, 2016

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Update 9.30pm: Gardaí say that a car entered the water at Lough Swilly from a slipway beside the town pier before 8pm tonight.

It's understood a family of four might have been in the car at the time.

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Tragedy #Buncrana pier this eve, jeep with passengers submerged in water. Hope the #rescue services can save lives pic.twitter.com/QF0UYFVHdN

— justin maclochlainn (@jmacrock) March 20, 2016

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Earlier: A search and rescue operation is underway in Donegal.

It is believed that a vehicle went off the pier in Buncrana with a family on board.

More as we get it.

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Malin Head Coastguard conducting a rescue operation after a vehicle went off the pier in Buncrana, #Donegal. Some people missing. #rtenews

— Aoife Hegarty (@aoifehegs) March 20, 2016

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Sad to see so many flashing blue lights in Buncrana! #Buncrana #donegal pic.twitter.com/RExQpv7Ixs

— Liam (@WilliamHGrant) March 20, 2016

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Tragedy unfolding in Buncrana tonight after a jeep with a family onboard went off the pier #Donegal. pic.twitter.com/vwsRH6NtZF

— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) March 20, 2016

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