Heartfelt tributes are flooding in for two Irish teens, Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall, both 18, who tragically died within hours of each other while vacationing in Greece, celebrating the end of their exams.
The recent graduates from St Michael's College had embarked on their trip to the island of Ios with a large group of friends.
During a night out, Andrew was separated from his friend on the way back to their accommodation and was later reported missing. His body was tragically discovered the next day around 9:20AM on rocky terrain in a field, indicating a possible slip that led to a fatal head injury.
Devastatingly, Max, who had a pre-existing heart condition, is said to have collapsed upon hearing about his friend's sudden passing near the island's port.
His condition rapidly deteriorated and despite medics' best efforts, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Local law enforcement confirmed two investigations are underway into the tragic incidents, with the bereaved families arriving on the island.
A local police official, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Mirror: "We understand that Max who was discovered in the port had a history of heart problems. Friends who were with him described him collapsing on hearing about Andrew. They were close. This is about as near as it gets to an ancient Greek tragedy."
The initial alert was triggered when Andrew didn't return to the rented accommodation. "Police were brought in immediately but the search took many hours before his body was located in a gully in [the area of] Germanoli," said the officer, referring to one of the island's steep waterways.
Autopsies for both teens are anticipated at the port of Pireaus, near Athens. "The autopsies will tell us more although right now we are ruling out anything suspicious," said a source on the island.
Local community members, including Leinster Rugby, have expressed their profound shock and grief at the untimely death of these two "young men gone far too soon."
St Michael's College principal, Tim Kelleher, described the devastating impact of this tragic event on the entire school community during an interview on RTE's Morning Ireland.
"We're absolutely devastated, the entire community is reeling with the news over the last 24 hours," Kelleher said. He expressed the school's deepest condolences to the families of the young men and confirmed that representatives of the school's parent association are now in Greece offering support.
Both young men were lauded by Kelleher, with Andrew being remembered as a "fantastic young man, great sportsman, fantastic footballer" with a bright future. Similarly, Max was described as "very bright", passionate about rugby, and having "the world at his feet."
The school community is offering support and has opened a book of condolences, while the Irish tricolour and school flag are flown at half-mast, symbolizing the collective mourning.
The loss of these "bright, sporting, academic men, who had their whole lives ahead of them" leaves the community heartbroken, Mr. Kelleher expressed.
Our hearts go out to the families of O'Donnell and Wall.
