Boy (6) dies on holiday in Portugal

A six-year-old boy from Northern Ireland has died while on a family holiday in Portugal.

A six-year-old boy from Northern Ireland has died while on a family holiday in Portugal.

Nathan Sharkey, from Claudy in Co Derry, was on holiday with his parents on the Algarve when he drowned yesterday.

The death of the boy sent shockwaves through his local community today.

A member of staff at Foyle View Special School, which Nathan attended, said neighbours and friends in the family's home village were shocked by news of the tragedy.

"He was a bright, bubbly and lovely boy," said Brenda Stevenson, who is also a local councillor for the SDLP in the area.

"His death has sent shockwaves throughout Claudy and our thoughts and prayers are with Nathan's family at this devastating time.

"You can feel the raw grief in the village, everyone is absolutely devastated. There is a feeling of 'Has this actually happened?'."

No further information on the tragedy was immediately available, but the British Foreign Office is understood to be providing assistance to the boy's parents.

"It is terrible this has happened, especially when the family was on holiday and were supposed to be relaxing. They went away as a family unit and now their lives have been thrown into disarray," added Ms Stevenson.

"I have no doubt that the entire community in Claudy will lend the family their full support at this very sad and difficult time."

The news of the boy's death comes days after a 16-year-old from west Belfast died after falling from a balcony in Spain.

Padraig Burns, from Tullymore Gardens, was on holiday with a group of friends in Benidorm when the accident happened on July 19th.

PA