Tragedy as Derry teen dies in hospital after being pulled from river

Imogen Cleary-Vong, 15, of Castledawson in Co Derry is being mourned in her local community following her sudden and tragic death on Sunday, February 2.

The teen was rescued from the Moyola River in Castledawson, Co Derry early on Sunday morning but tragically died at Antrim Area Hospital later that day.

“Police responded to a report in relation to a female in the water in the Castledawson area on Sunday 2nd February,” a spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) told IrishCentral on Tuesday.

“Officers attended the scene, together with colleagues from other emergency services, where the female was rescued from the water. 

“Sadly she later died in hospital. 

“The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.”

On Sunday, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) told the Belfast Telegraph that its crews were mobilized at about 5:18 am at the Riverside South area of Castledawson in Magherafelt.

Two fire appliances from Magherafelt, the water rescue team from Crescent Link in Derry, and specialist rescue teams from Central Fire Station in Belfast were deployed, NIFRS said.

“Firefighters were called to one 15-year-old female who was reported as missing in the water," NIFRS added.

“Firefighters using water rescue equipment, thermal cameras, and the rescue boat attended and working with other agencies, they removed one casualty from the water and into care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and she was transferred to Antrim Area Hospital.”

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said in a statement that it received a 999 call at 5:24 am on Sunday following reports of an incident in the Riverside South area in Castledawson.

"NIAS despatched one Emergency Ambulance crew and the Hazardous Area Response Team to the incident," NIAS said.

"Following initial assessment and treatment at scene, one patient was taken to Antrim Area Hospital by ambulance.”

In a statement posted on social media on Monday, Lough Neagh Rescue said: "Lifeboats and SRT Technicians were tasked by HM Coastguard Belfast at 05:41 to assist other statutory agencies with an operational incident in the vicinity of the Moyola River.

"Upon arrival at the scene, our crew conducted a thorough search of the area and successfully located the reported person. Our team provided First Response Emergency Care on-site before transferring the casualty into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS).

"It is with great sadness that we have since learned of the casualty’s passing. Our heartfelt thoughts, deepest sympathies, and prayers go out to their family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

"We would like to extend our gratitude to all our emergency service colleagues for their professionalism and teamwork during this challenging operation."

An obituary shared by McCusker Bros Funeral Directors in Magherafelt says Imogen Cleary-Vong of Castledawson died suddenly on Sunday, February 2.

She is described as the “beloved daughter of Michael and Pauline, loving sister of Dylan and Cody," and her passing is "deeply regretted by her father, mother, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family circle and friends.”

The wake for Imogen has not yet commenced, and funeral arrangements will be announced later, the notice says. 

Paul McClean, the principal of St. Mary’s Grammar where the teen was a student, said in a statement: “Our entire school community is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected death of our Year 11 pupil, Imogen Cleary-Vong.

“Imogen was a bright, talented young person with a wonderful flair for art in particular, and she will be deeply missed.

“We have a very close and tight knit school community and we have put arrangements in place to ensure that specialist support is available to help pupils, staff and families in the coming days and weeks ahead. We are making every effort to ensure that they are fully supported and encouraged to share their thoughts and emotions.

“We offer and share our sincere condolences to Imogen’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”