Ireland

Sligo teenager killed in Ecuador kayaking tragedy was 'fulfilling his dreams'

Alex McGourty died in Ecuador in a kayaking tragedy. Picture by Sligo Kayak Club /Facebook
Alex McGourty died in Ecuador in a kayaking tragedy. Picture by Sligo Kayak Club /Facebook Alex McGourty died in Ecuador in a kayaking tragedy. Picture by Sligo Kayak Club /Facebook

AN Irish teenager who died in a kayaking tragedy in Ecuador had been "fulfilling his dreams", friends have said.

Alex McGourty (19), from Sligo, was described as a "true gentleman" as news spread of his death in a remote part of the South American country.

Searches are continuing for a second Irish man, David Higgins (26), who had been kayaking with Mr McGourty and was still missing last night.

It is understood the men had been travelling with a group of kayakers who got into difficulty following a flash flood on the river Abanico.

Mr McGourty was a former pupil of Summer Hill College in Sligo and received a one-year scholarship to the World Class Kayak Academy in Washington in 2016 - the only Irish person to ever secure a place.

He was also a trainee instructor with Sligo Kayak Club, which last night expressed its "profound sadness".

"Alex tragically died while fulfilling his dreams, kayaking in Ecuador," it said.

"The club would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Alex's parents Frankie and Eilish, his family and his friends. Alex will be greatly missed by all in Sligo Kayak Club.

"He was one of the finest young men we had the honour of knowing and paddling with."

The club also said its prayers go out to Mr Higgins.

"He is currently missing as well as an Ecuadorian, Joaquín Meneses, and Adam Nicholas Vaughan from England," it said on Facebook.

"Their empty kayaks have been found. One member of the expedition has been found alive.

"We believe the whole team was caught by a flash flood in a very remote part of Ecuador."

A friend also described Mr McGourty in online tributes as a "true gentleman".

"Alex was 'chasing the dream' as they say, but he was really living the dream to the full, which only a few ever do," he said.

"Alex loved kayaking and everyone could see that."

Another said: "So sad, I paddled with Alex a few times and we guided groups together on a few occasions.

"He was a solid guy, raised well, kind and hard working.

"His energy for life was infectious and it's sad to see him gone too soon, but on the up side he spent his life and particularly the last few years living the dream, something we can all aspire to."

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of both cases and consular assistance was being provided.