Small village “absolutely devastated” by six-year olds tragic death
Thursday, 31 July 2008
The Algarve region of Portugal where tragedy struck the Sharkey family.
Small village "absolutely devastated" by six-year olds tragic death
A SMALL County Derry community has been left "absolutely devastated" this week after the tragic death of a six year old boy from the area whilst on holiday with his family.
Nathan Sharkey from the Braefield estate in Claudy drowned late on Thursday afternoon after falling into a reservoir at the back of the family's holiday accommodation in Portugal. The six year old, who was on holiday with his parents, twin brother Matthew and younger sibling Christopher, will be flown home this Thursday where preparations will be made for the his burial.
Local community members have been united in support for the family and have organised collections in nearby parishes to financially aid the family of five at this difficult time. SDLP Councillor for the area Brenda Stevenson says the small village is in complete shock at the young boys death but have threw themselves into supporting the Sharkey's.
“The community here in Claudy are absolutely devastated by Nathan's death. As soon as the news broke everyone rallied round to organise a collection at local parishes and a great lot of sympathy and support has been passed on to the family. It is nothing less than expected of this community, we have always came together to support each other at difficult times so on this occasion it would be no different."
Councillor Stevenson, who knew Nathan through her work at the speech and language unit at Foyle View school in Derry, said the Sharkey family wanted to be left in peace to grieve at such a difficult time.
“I have spoken to the family and they are obviously devastated. They want to be left alone to grieve in private and would like the press not to intrude whilst they do so."
Young Nathan, who suffered from severe learning difficulties, died just two days into the family's Algarve holiday. It is believed the youngster was pulled from a man made reservoir located at the back of the private holiday villa after going missing late on Thursday. Despite desperate efforts to revive the child by his father and local paramedics the six year old died later in hospital. He had been transferred to two hospitals in nearby Portimao and Faro before passing away at around 5am on Friday morning.
Parents Martin and Kelly are said to be "in pieces" at the loss of their son, who died less than 36 hours after the arriving in the Algarve. Local priest Fr Neil Farren, who is comforting the six year olds family, told of how the Sharkeys had phoned home just a day before the tragedy to say they were having a great time
He said; "Nathan's parents and grandparents are just devastated. Martin and Kelly are a very loving couple. I remember seeing them in church recently and seeing young Nathan in the arms of his mother and that sense of loving care that was there."
“This happened on Wednesday evening. Shortly before, Nathan's parents had phoned to say they were having a great time, but then their dream holiday turned into a nightmare."
Nathan is the eighth child to drown this year in Portugal. His death has sparked outrage among Portugese safety officers who say the government needs to tale more action to decrease the number of water related deaths among children . Elsa Rocha, from the Portuguese Association for the Promotion of Child Safety, said;
'This year alone eight children have died in this country, four of them in the Algarve. We need the government to take action.'
