OMAGH BOMB HERO DROWNED AS RESCUE ATTEMPT GOES WRONG
Omagh bomb hero drowned as rescue attempt goes wrong
Community stunned after double tragedy in Ballymoney
THE funeral took place in Killyclogher yesterday morning of a local man who gave his life trying to rescue a friend's son.
Twenty-nine year old Charles McCausland, formerly of Lisanelly Heights in Omagh, dived into the River Bann at Ballymoney on Sunday afternoon in an attempt to rescue Colin Kitchener (14), after the schoolboy fell into the water.
Both victims who were non-swimmers were carried under by the strong current off Drumaheagles Marina. Following a massive air and sea rescue, their bodies were recovered by police underwater divers five hours after the tragedy which occurred at around 3.30pm. Their remains were discovered on a riverbed close to the jetty from where the pair disappeared.
Mr McCausland - who received a certificate of commendation for helping victims of the Omagh bombing had gone to live at Mossvale Park on Coleraine's Ballysally Estate around a month ago. The young schoolboy's family had also recently moved to Daneshill Road in Coleraine. Both had previously lived at Lisanelly Heights in Omagh where neighbours were shocked to learn of the deaths.
Police in Ballymoney, meanwhile, have launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Both Mr McCausland and Colin Kitchener had travelled with a group of friends to enjoy an afternoon at the popular beauty spot. The area around the marina had been packed with children playing in the river.
The two victims had gone to the end of the walkway to look at boats. But as Mr McCausland returned to the shore, his friend's son toppled into the waters.
Describing how the outing turned disastrously wrong, Mr McCausland's partner, Fiona who was standing just yards away at the time - said the first she knew anything was wrong was when she heard a splash.
"There was a large inflatable thing at the end of the pier and Colin went to have a look," she said.
"The next thing I heard the splash. Colin had fallen in. Right away, Charlie jumped in after him and neither of them came up again, they just vanished."
When both victims failed to resurface, a major rescue operation was launched. But despite the efforts of the emergency services, neither victim could be saved.
As a mark of respect, Ballymoney Borough Council decided to cancel a water sports festival due to have taken place at the marina today (Thursday). And a council spokesperson said they would await the outcome of the police enquiry before deciding whether to implement further safety measures.
This week, Mr McCausland's brother-in-law recalled his efforts in trying to aid victims of the Market Street bombing two years ago.
Geoff Hawkes said the rescue attempt was typical of the father-of-six's courage.
Following the attack, Mr McCausland was presented with a certificate of commendation from the RUG for helping those caught up in the August 1998 atrocity.
Mr Hawkes said "After the bomb exploded, Charlie got his car from SuperValu's car park and folded down the back seat. He then placed a number of the injured into the car and made numerous trips to the hospital.
"When I heard he had jumped into the water it didn't surprise me. It was typical of the man."
Before moving to the Coleraine area, the Kitchener family lived at the Hospital Road and Lisanelly Heights in Omagh.
During that time Colin Kitchener was a former pupil of Gibson and Campsie Primary Schools. And following a spell in Coleraine Boys' Secondary School, he returned to Omagh where he attended the local High School at Crevenagh Road.
Earlier this week, Mr McCausland's remains were taken to the home of his mother, Kathleen at Rush Hill Road, following which they were transferred to St Mary's Church, Killyclogher for burial on Wednesday morning. He was interred in the adjoining cemetery.
Deceased is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Michael, Jamie, Charles and Justin; daughters, Lucinda and Katriona and large family circle.
Meanwhile, a service will be held in Coleraine this morning (Thurs) for Colin Kitchener, following which his remains will be taken for burial at the Dublin Road Cemetery in Omagh.
Community stunned after double tragedy in Ballymoney
THE funeral took place in Killyclogher yesterday morning of a local man who gave his life trying to rescue a friend's son.
Twenty-nine year old Charles McCausland, formerly of Lisanelly Heights in Omagh, dived into the River Bann at Ballymoney on Sunday afternoon in an attempt to rescue Colin Kitchener (14), after the schoolboy fell into the water.
Both victims who were non-swimmers were carried under by the strong current off Drumaheagles Marina. Following a massive air and sea rescue, their bodies were recovered by police underwater divers five hours after the tragedy which occurred at around 3.30pm. Their remains were discovered on a riverbed close to the jetty from where the pair disappeared.
Mr McCausland - who received a certificate of commendation for helping victims of the Omagh bombing had gone to live at Mossvale Park on Coleraine's Ballysally Estate around a month ago. The young schoolboy's family had also recently moved to Daneshill Road in Coleraine. Both had previously lived at Lisanelly Heights in Omagh where neighbours were shocked to learn of the deaths.
Police in Ballymoney, meanwhile, have launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Both Mr McCausland and Colin Kitchener had travelled with a group of friends to enjoy an afternoon at the popular beauty spot. The area around the marina had been packed with children playing in the river.
The two victims had gone to the end of the walkway to look at boats. But as Mr McCausland returned to the shore, his friend's son toppled into the waters.
Describing how the outing turned disastrously wrong, Mr McCausland's partner, Fiona who was standing just yards away at the time - said the first she knew anything was wrong was when she heard a splash.
"There was a large inflatable thing at the end of the pier and Colin went to have a look," she said.
"The next thing I heard the splash. Colin had fallen in. Right away, Charlie jumped in after him and neither of them came up again, they just vanished."
When both victims failed to resurface, a major rescue operation was launched. But despite the efforts of the emergency services, neither victim could be saved.
As a mark of respect, Ballymoney Borough Council decided to cancel a water sports festival due to have taken place at the marina today (Thursday). And a council spokesperson said they would await the outcome of the police enquiry before deciding whether to implement further safety measures.
This week, Mr McCausland's brother-in-law recalled his efforts in trying to aid victims of the Market Street bombing two years ago.
Geoff Hawkes said the rescue attempt was typical of the father-of-six's courage.
Following the attack, Mr McCausland was presented with a certificate of commendation from the RUG for helping those caught up in the August 1998 atrocity.
Mr Hawkes said "After the bomb exploded, Charlie got his car from SuperValu's car park and folded down the back seat. He then placed a number of the injured into the car and made numerous trips to the hospital.
"When I heard he had jumped into the water it didn't surprise me. It was typical of the man."
Before moving to the Coleraine area, the Kitchener family lived at the Hospital Road and Lisanelly Heights in Omagh.
During that time Colin Kitchener was a former pupil of Gibson and Campsie Primary Schools. And following a spell in Coleraine Boys' Secondary School, he returned to Omagh where he attended the local High School at Crevenagh Road.
Earlier this week, Mr McCausland's remains were taken to the home of his mother, Kathleen at Rush Hill Road, following which they were transferred to St Mary's Church, Killyclogher for burial on Wednesday morning. He was interred in the adjoining cemetery.
Deceased is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Michael, Jamie, Charles and Justin; daughters, Lucinda and Katriona and large family circle.
Meanwhile, a service will be held in Coleraine this morning (Thurs) for Colin Kitchener, following which his remains will be taken for burial at the Dublin Road Cemetery in Omagh.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1349
Published Date: 25-May-00
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