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'High spirits' ended in tragedy 'High spirits' ended in tragedy
(1 day later)
The deaths of two teenagers in a County Down forest park's lake has been described as a case of high spirits which ended in tragedy.The deaths of two teenagers in a County Down forest park's lake has been described as a case of high spirits which ended in tragedy.
Clare Steele, 16, died with her cousin Rory McAlinden, 18, when their canoe overturned in the lake at Castlewellan.Clare Steele, 16, died with her cousin Rory McAlinden, 18, when their canoe overturned in the lake at Castlewellan.
A third teenager in the canoe in April last year managed to swim to shore.A third teenager in the canoe in April last year managed to swim to shore.
An inquest in Belfast heard they had been part of a group partying in the forest park when they decided to take a canoe onto the lake.An inquest in Belfast heard they had been part of a group partying in the forest park when they decided to take a canoe onto the lake.
A post mortem examination carried out after the bodies were recovered from the bottom of the lake showed Rory to be over twice the legal drink drive limit and Clare to be just under it.A post mortem examination carried out after the bodies were recovered from the bottom of the lake showed Rory to be over twice the legal drink drive limit and Clare to be just under it.
The inquest heard Rory had been drinking beer and his cousin alco-pops.The inquest heard Rory had been drinking beer and his cousin alco-pops.
A canoe was removed from a locked adventure centre and taken onto the lake with fence posts used as paddles.A canoe was removed from a locked adventure centre and taken onto the lake with fence posts used as paddles.
One of the teenagers in the park, Karen Fisher, got a phone call from Clare Steele in the canoe.One of the teenagers in the park, Karen Fisher, got a phone call from Clare Steele in the canoe.
"She said she was in the middle of the lake, she was laughing."She said she was in the middle of the lake, she was laughing.
"I told her to get out of it, but she said she was OK and then she said 'if I don't get out tell my mummy I love her'," she said."I told her to get out of it, but she said she was OK and then she said 'if I don't get out tell my mummy I love her'," she said.
'Boat unbalanced''Boat unbalanced'
Moments later tragedy struck and the canoe tipped over, spilling the teenagers into the water.Moments later tragedy struck and the canoe tipped over, spilling the teenagers into the water.
Patrick Morgan, the only one to survive, said: "It was very dark, we were using the light from our mobile phones.Patrick Morgan, the only one to survive, said: "It was very dark, we were using the light from our mobile phones.
"We were turning to come back in to shore and Rory wanted to turn around. He stood up to turn around - he said he wanted to go to the toilet - it unbalanced the boat.""We were turning to come back in to shore and Rory wanted to turn around. He stood up to turn around - he said he wanted to go to the toilet - it unbalanced the boat."
He said they had been swimming behind him but when he reached the steps they were gone.He said they had been swimming behind him but when he reached the steps they were gone.
Asked by coroner Suzanne Anderson if either of them had said anything before sinking below the water he said "no."Asked by coroner Suzanne Anderson if either of them had said anything before sinking below the water he said "no."
There bodies were found the next day and a member of the search and rescue team said the water had been calm. Their bodies were found the next day and a member of the search and rescue team said the water had been calm.
Some of the teenagers refused to get in the canoe when offered the chance.Some of the teenagers refused to get in the canoe when offered the chance.
Recording that both teenagers died of drowning, the corner said Clare had been "mildly intoxicated" and Rory "moderately intoxicated".Recording that both teenagers died of drowning, the corner said Clare had been "mildly intoxicated" and Rory "moderately intoxicated".
Ms Anderson described the deaths as "a case of high spirits which unfortunately ended in tragedy".Ms Anderson described the deaths as "a case of high spirits which unfortunately ended in tragedy".
Speaking after the inquest Clare's mother, Mary, said their deaths followed "a bit of high jinks that went wrong".Speaking after the inquest Clare's mother, Mary, said their deaths followed "a bit of high jinks that went wrong".
"I hope it will be a lesson to other young people. I hope they learn to honour their lives," she added."I hope it will be a lesson to other young people. I hope they learn to honour their lives," she added.