Galway river deaths: Three teenagers die after car enters water

RTÉ A police officer stands at a cordon at the scene of the crash at Menlo Pier near Galway cityRTÉ
The incident happened at Menlo Pier near Galway city

Three teenagers have died after a car entered the River Corrib in the Republic of Ireland.

Gardaí (Irish police) were sent to the scene at Menlo Pier near Galway city on Saturday at about 02:40 local time.

The three teenagers were removed from the water and taken to University Hospital Galway.

Two teenage boys, aged 16 and 17, died on Saturday morning.

A 19-year-old man, who was in a critical condition, died on Saturday afternoon.

The victims were John Keenan, Wojcieck Panek and Christopher Stokes, reports Irish national broadcaster RTÉ

Olympic Boxing Club in Galway paid tribute to John Keenan and Christopher Stokes, who had been club members.

In a post on Facebook, the club described them as "exceptional young men and too young to go".

The scene at Menlo Pier is to be examined by crash investigators.

Padhraic Ó Fathaigh, who lives close to the pier, told that he heard a siren and voices at about 03:00.

He said he saw a "black car overturned in the water and multiple vehicles including fire engines and ambulances".

"Gardaí were trying to pull the car from the water with a rope," he added.

"It's just tragic."

Gardaí have appealed for information about the incident.

They want to speak to anyone who saw a blue Peugeot 308 in the area between 02:00 and 02:40 on Saturday.