Two feared dead after vehicle swept into river

Two men are feared dead and another was lucky to escape with his life after a vehicle was swept into a river in Co Mayo in the early hours of Christmas Day.

The four-wheel drive vehicle was crossing the Carrowniskey River in the Louisburgh area at about 2.30am on Monday when the tragedy occurred.

The 4X4 became totally submerged and was swept down river.

A 19-year-old man managed to escape and raised the alarm at about 3am, but two others – aged 26 and 27 – remain missing.

A Garda spokesperson said: “The Garda Water Unit has arrived at the scene and it is envisaged to begin the search for recovery of bodies.”