Council 'deeply saddened' as young man dies after incident at swimming pool

Orchard Leisure Centre - Armagh

Orchard Leisure Centre - Armagh

A young man has died after an incident at the swimming pool in Armagh.

It happened last night (Friday).

Staff worked on the man, who was in his early 20s, until paramedics arrived shortly before 9.30pm. The man was then transferred to Craigavon Area Hospital.

A friend told Armagh I the swimmer sadly passed away earlier this morning.

The Orchard Leisure Centre is closed today (Saturday).

The ABC Council, which operates the facility, confirmed the closure on its website.

It described the reasoning as being “due to unforeseen circumstances”, while councillors had been informed of the loss of life.

Both the PSNI and Health and Safety Executive NI have confirmed the tragic news.

A PSNI spokesperson said officers attended the scene of a “sudden death” last night at the leisure centre in Armagh.

He told Armagh I : “The death is not being treated as suspicious. There are no further details at this time.”

Health and Safety Executive NI will carry out an investigation into the tragedy.

A spokesman told Armagh I : “HSENI have been informed of an incident in Armagh and is in discussion with the local council about the circumstances.”

Classes which had been scheduled today, including gymnastics, and a planned gala will also not now be able to go ahead in the aftermath of this morning’s tragic news.