6 TEENS DROWN IN 6 WEEKS

Kofi, 15, latest to die as safety chiefs issue warning to parents

- BY PAT FLANAGAN

SIX young people under the age of 18 have drowned in the past six weeks with Water Safety Ireland chiefs urging parents to warn their kids about the dangers of swimming.

It comes as tributes are being paid to 15-year-old Kofi Owusu, who lost his life in the River Nanny at Laytown, Co Meath, on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Carlow teenager Peter Byrne, 17, who tragically drowned in the River Barrow on Tuesday, will be laid to rest tomorrow.

A TEENAGE basketball star has died after being caught in strong currents in a treacherous river.

Fifteen-year old Kofi Owusu was swimming in the River Nanny at Laytown, Co Meath, when he got into difficulties underneath a footbridge.

He was with a group of other boys playing in the water but it is believed he was carried away by a strong current and became submerged.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public around 6.15pm on Friday and a search and rescue operation was launched within minutes.