A POPULAR beach has been cordoned off in Derry after the body of a man was discovered earlier this afternoon.
It is understood the man got into difficulty swimming in the sea at the beach during the scorching weather.
The PSNI, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, and the air ambulance attended the scene of the incident today.
The assistance of the RNLI was also requested as the PSNI asked the public to avoid the scene
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are currently in attendance after a body was found on the beach in Castlerock today, Friday 20 June.
“Cordons are in place and the public is asked to avoid the area at this time.”
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service confirmed the alarm was raised via an emergency call at 3.35pm today.
They said: “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 14:35 on Friday 20 June following reports of an incident at Castlerock Beach.
“NIAS despatched a Rapid Response Paramedic, 2 Emergency Crews, 1 HART Crew and an Ambulance Officer to the scene.
“Ambulance Control also tasked the Charity Air Ambulance, with HEMS Team on board, to attend.
“Following assessment and initial treatment, no patients were taken from the scene.”
It comes as tributes continue to pour in for a teenager who drowned in a separate incident in Carlow earlier this week.
Peter Byrne tragically died in a swimming incident at Cloghristick, Milford, Co Carlow at around 6.30pm on Tuesday evening.
The young player for New Oak FC passed away after getting into difficulty in the water at Cloghristick, Milford, Co Carlow at around 6.30pm on Tuesday evening.
The teen, who had just finished Transition Year in the local CBS secondary school, and his pals were at a local gym earlier in the evening and then went swimming.
New Oak FC took to social media to pay a heartfelt tribute to the young player, describing him as a “pocket rocket in the team” over the last number of years.
‘LIFE AND SOUL OF THE DRESSING ROOM’
They wrote on Facebook: “It is with a very heavy and broken heart that we share the devastating news of the passing of our much beloved youths player Peter Byrne who tragically passed away this week.
“Peter was a pocket rocket in the team over the last number of years.
“Small in stature but big in personality. He was a huge character with a touch of Roy Keane about him, not afraid of anything or anyone.”
They continued: “Peter was the life and soul of the dressing room and training and will be sadly missed by his coaches Ernie, Danny and all his teammates who have not only lost a fellow player but a friend.”
Police have cordoned off the scene[/caption]
