THE death of a teenager in the sea off the north coast of Co Antrim was last night described as "heart-breaking".
The 19-year-old, who is believed to be from Belfast, got into difficulty close to Dunluce Castle near Bushmills on Tuesday evening.
It is understood he was with three other friends who were 'coasteering', which involves swimming off rocky coastlines as well as jumping into the sea from rocks.
Reports suggest the group had been jumping off rocks below Dunluce Castle, in a cove known locally as the Lord’s Prayer, when the teenager is believed to have hit his head on a rock.
Emergency services, including coastguard teams, the RNLI, rescue helicopter, ambulance service and police, attended after the alarm was raised after 5pm.
The young man was recovered unconscious from the sea and taken to White Rocks beach where he was pronounced dead.
One of his friends suffered lower back injuries which were not serious.
Judith McNeice from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the teenager's friends had made "valiant efforts to try and save him".
"The young man was pulled from the water to the beach by Portrush Lifeboat but unfortunately, after being treated, he was pronounced deceased," she told the BBC.
"Although it was an absolutely beautiful day, the north coast is notorious for having a large swell even in the most benign of weather so there is a risk even on a lovely day like that to people going in and swimming or jumping off rocks.
"The others were trying to help their friend and they made valiant efforts to try and rescue him.
"I'm sure it will be extremely upsetting for them but they can take some comfort in the fact that they did everything they could for their friend."
Ms McNeice urged the public to be wary of the sea, warning of hidden dangers below the surface such as rocks and strong currents.
A PSNI spokesman said officers were investigating the circumstances but the death is not being treated as suspicious.
East Derry assembly member Claire Sugden said: "It is heart-breaking to lose a young life. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
"I commend those young people who made every effort to rescue their friend and also the emergency services who attended the incident and brought others to safety."
