Man Dies After Portstewart Harbour Fall

A man who died on Tuesday evening after falling into the sea near Portstewart harbour in L'Derry has been named as Stanley Duncan, chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland.

Mr Duncan is reported to have been fishing close to the shore at Victoria Terrace before 17:00 when the incident occurred.

Coleraine Coastguard Rescue Team, the RNLI inshore lifeboat from Portrush, Portstewart RNLI beach lifeguards and the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter from Sligo attended the scene.

He was rescued from the water and taken to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.

SDLP East L'Derry representative John Dallat has expressed his sadness over the incident.

Mr. Dallat said: "I am deeply saddened by the death of Mr. Duncan who has died in very tragic circumstances indeed."

"As an Assembly Member, I dealt with Mr Duncan in his official capacity as Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Agency on many occasions and I always found him to be a gentleman, thoroughly caring, professional and committed to the work he was doing.

"His death is a reminder of the unpredictability of the sea and the potential dangers to those who enjoy it for recreational use.

"I want to pay tribute to those dealing with this emergency; the Coleraine Coastguard Rescue Team who used a lifeboat to recover Mr. Duncan and transfer him to the Causeway Hospital. I also want to thank the Irish Coastguards who sent a helicopter which had been on a training exercise in Donegal to offer assistance.

"Unfortunately on this occasion a life has been lost; however it does highlight the vital service our coastguards provide."

(IT/CD)