A Co Tyrone community has been left shocked after the death of a woman pulled from a sinking car during a dramatic rescue on Lough Erne.
Unagh Gallogly's car entered the water at Muckross Pier on the Boa Island Road at Kesh, Co Fermanagh at around 10.25pm on Saturday.
The Drumquin woman was taken to hospital but died yesterday morning.
The rescue operation began after police received a report that a car may have entered the water at the popular beauty spot and a patrol car, which was nearby, went to the area.
Police said two officers entered the water and managed to free the mother-of-three from the sinking car, while a third entered the water to ensure no-one else was inside. All three were treated in hospital before being discharged.
District Commander Clive Beatty said members of the public also entered the water, with one man who was passing on a boat telling yesterday how he dived in and pulled the woman from the car.
Aged in her 50s, Ms Gallogly was a mother-of-three from from a large, well-known family.
Her only daughter was expected to return home from Australia yesterday.
Fr Kevin Mullan said the community is in mourning.
“It is a very sad and silent community here now,” he said.
“They are a lovely family.
“She was always a very happy person, that is the persona she presented.”
Paul McCusker, chairman of Drumquin Wolfe Tones GAA club, said local people are stunned by the tragedy.
“They are a very quiet family and very well respected family in Drumquin,” he said.
“It was a big shock, not just in Drumquin, but the wider area.”
Mr McCusker said the Gallogly family has strong links to the local club and it will now help in whatever way it can.
“They have always have been involved in the club and been about,” he said.
“The GAA will do what it can at the hour of need.”
Fermanagh SDLP councillor John Coyle said it was “a terrible tragedy and local people are shocked and devastated”.
“There was a huge operation here on Saturday after it became apparent that a car had entered the water,” she said.
“Local people and the emergency services rallied to save the woman trapped in the car with no concern for their own safety.
“Their bravery was incredible.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the woman’s family and friends at this awful time.”
Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton also praised those involved in the rescue effort.
“This is a sad end to the situation, I offer sincere condolences to the family of the bereaved lady,” she said.
