It’s the scenario no one wants to be faced with, but today not only Donegal and Derry, but our entire country is reeling from the tragedy that has unfolded over the past 48 hours.
The sad and untimely deaths of 5 people is horrific in inself, but two selfless, brave and heroic acts rise from the devastation.
The five victims have now been named; they are Sean McGrotty (49), from St Eithne’s Park in the Hazelbank area, his two sons, Mark James (12) and Evan James (8), Ruth Daniels (57) and her daughter Jodie-Lee Daniels (15), from Ederowen Park in Galliagh.
Firstly, as we and everyone has rightly reported, the bravery of Davitt Walsh, quite simply a hero. The man risked his own life in and effort to save others, and what an effort it was. He swam to the stricken car and managed to rescue a 4-month-old baby girl.
Davitt’s brave actions were met with an equal amount of the father of the children, Sean McGrotty. Sean managed to break the glass in the Audi Q7 and passed his baby girl to Davitt, shouting “Take the baby… save the baby”.
With that, Davitt said Sean dove back into the jeep and tried to rescue the children and Louise’s mother from the disaster.
Unfortunately, the tragedy took hold and all 5 drowned. Davitt’s heroic efforts managed to save one baby girl and from his heart-wrenching account, it would appear Sean showed equal bravery with his last act in this world.