The mother of a 14 year old who died while on a scouting trip to Hook Head has praised the rescue crew “who did everything possible” to save her daughter.
Aoife Winterlich lost her footing on the rocks at the lighthouse and was swept out to sea on the 6th of December 2015.
The Waterford-based helicopter Rescue 117 winched Aoife, who was unconscious, from the sea, when she slipped from the harness and fell 40 feet into the water. She was immediately winched to safety and transferred to UHW and then on to Crumlin Children's Hospital, but died 5 days later.
In a statement at the end of an inquest into her daughter’s death, Anne Winterlich said the loss had left "a huge void" for the family.
She thanked the air accident crew for doing everything possible to save Aoife and her friend Phillip who had to tried to rescue her.
She said it was because of them they were "given precious time to say goodbye".
At Dublin Coroner’s Court Coroner Myra Cullinane returned a verdict of death by misadventure. The coroner recommended a general review of supervision arrangements for children, particularly in relation to potentially hazardous activities.
The coroner also recommended that signs at Hook Head lighthouse alert the public to dangers of the area.
