The search was continuing last night for a talented GAA player who is presumed to have died after he went swimming with pals in Canada.
The man, who has been named locally as David Gavin, dived off a bridge in British Columbia on
Friday afternoon but never resurfaced after entering the water.
The 26-year-old footballer, who played with Breaffy GAA club and Mayo in the 2008 All Ireland Minor final, emigrated to Canada earlier this year for work.
Mayo County Cllr Michael Kilcoyne told the Irish Mirror both David and his family, from Springfield, Castlebar, are well-known and very popular and he described the news as “any parent’s worst nightmare”.
The Independent representative said: “Everybody is very upset and all we can say is we’re very sorry and remember them in our prayers.
“People are shocked and really saddened for the family. It’s any parent’s worst nightmare.
“And added then to this is the fact that its happened 3,000 miles away.
“If it was down the road you can be there in a short time but Canada is a long way for them to travel.”
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A spokesman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed it has been in touch with David’s family and friends.
It is understood his dad Michael and mum Angela, who both work for Mayo County Council, travelled to the country on Saturday to maintain a vigil for their only son as the search continues.
He had been diving in a river with pals at around 3.30pm on Friday when he disappeared and the alarm was raised a short time later.
The search has been concentrated in the Beaver Creek area around 260km west of Calgary in the
Canadian Rockies.
RCMP Staff Sgt Annie Linteau said David is presumed to have drowned and officers are liasing with relatives.
She told CBC News: “They have been offered support during this difficult time.”
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