Monday, 25 Nov 2024

Two teenagers from same school die in separate tragedies on Greek island

Two teenagers from the same school in Ireland have died in separate incidents while on holiday with friends in Greece.

Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, who both graduated from St Michael’s College in Dublin last month, died on the island of Ios yesterday.

Andrew, 18, had been out with his mates on Saturday night and headed back to his hotel alone some time after midnight, it’s believed.

He was discovered dead yesterday morning after his friends reported him missing, the Mail Online reports.

His body showed signs of having fallen from a height, according to police.

Police spokesman Konstantine Dimoglidou said: ‘He must have taken a wrong path home, stumbling over a cliff.’

Later the same day, Andrew’s classmate Max is said to have collapsed while waiting for a ferry back to Athens.

‘He just collapsed and died,’ Mr Dimoglidou said. ‘He too was taken to the local hospital and his death recorded.’

Both bodies have been taken to the port city of Piraeus for autopsies to determine the exact cause of their deaths.

It’s believed they were part of a group of some 20 ex-pupils holidaying on the island.

St Michael’s College principal Tim Kelleher said the school community was ‘heartbroken’ over the deaths.

He told RTE: ‘We’re absolutely devastated, the entire community is reeling with the news over the last 24 hours.


‘Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the bereaved families. Some of the parents association reps have flown out to the island to give them some support in their time of need.’

He described Andrew as a ‘fantastic young man, great sportsman, fantastic footballer’, who was academically bright, and was looking forward to his holiday and attending university.

He had ‘a very, very bright future’ he said.

The principal described Max as ‘very bright’, ‘passionate about rugby’ and had ‘the world at his feet’.

He was ‘full of optimism and hope for the future’, Mr Kellehar said.

He added: ‘Unfortunately both families got the news yesterday that their future had been taken from them and we’re obviously devastated for them, their family and friends, and we’re here to help and support in any way we can in the next days and weeks.’

He said their friends are ‘absolutely traumatised’ and are on their way home.

Flowers have been placed at the school, which has remained open, and the Irish tricolour and school flag are being flown at half mast outside the front door.

The past president of St Michael’s Union, Tom McCormack, said it was the ‘darkest day’ in the school’s history.

‘It was a devastating day, we’ve been heartened by the huge volume of messages of support from government ministers, councillors, senators, other schools,’ he said.

‘Our sister school, St Mary’s, eight years ago had the Berkeley tragedy and we are now experiencing our darkest day.’

He was referring to an accident in Berkeley in California in the US, where six students, including four from Dublin, died in 2015 after a balcony collapsed.

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman confirmed it is aware of Andrew and Max’s deaths and is providing consular assistance.

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