Grieving mum criticises bystanders after river death tragedy of Luke, 33

THE heartbroken mother of Luke Hyde who drowned while swimming has slammed onlookers who live-streamed the tragedy rather than helping her son.

- BY NICOLA DONNELLY

Luke, 33, entered the north channel of the River Lee from Pope's Quay in Cork with a friend at around 6.45pm on Wednesday to try to swim to Kyri's Quay. However Mr Hyde got into difficulty as he neared the quay wall and disappeared beneath the surface, which was rising towards high tide at 8.20pm.

His friend successfully made it across the channel.

Irish Coast Guard Marine Rescue Centre at Valentia Island co-ordinated the rescue operation, and tasked the Irish Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter from Waterford, Rescue 117, to assist.

Gardai had to push people back and increase the cordon around first responders as dozens of onlookers gathered to watch and film as Mr Hyde was drowning.

Now Elizabeth has slammed those who stood by filming and live streaming her son drowning instead of throwing a life buoy to help save him.

LIFEBUOY