By Alan Healy
Deputy Editor

COMMUNITY leaders in the Creggan area have warned parents to ensure their children keep away from the local reservoir during the current spell of good weather.
It comes after a 10-year-old boy died after he was rescued from River Bann in the Co Down village of Hilltown on Wednesday evening.
Daniel Andre was pulled from the river after running into difficulties whilst swimming with his friends.
And now local parents have been urged by the Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership to be ‘extra vigilant’ in the coming days and make their children aware of the dangers of swimming in the reservoir.
“We would ask parents and guardians to be aware of the dangers of swimming in reservoirs,” the spokesperson said.
“Reservoirs by their nature are deep with steeply sloped banks, and they are not suitable for swimming.”
The spokesperson added that other factors could contribute to the dangers posed by reservoirs.
“An added problem is that many young people spend their days drinking outdoors.
“Swimming in cold deep water while under the influence is surely a recipe for disaster.
“If children come home wet on a hot summer’s day, it would be remiss of parents not to ask where they have been and what they’ve been doing.
“Better that than to get a call that they have met with a tragic end in one of our reservoirs.”