THE TWO BRIDGE workers who died after falling into the River Shannon yesterday have been named as Brian Whelan (29) and TJ Herlihy (36).
The two men had been carrying out remedial works on Thomond Bridge when the support cage they were using gave way and fell into the waters below.
The two men are believed to have been harnessed and became trapped underwater when the cage fell into the river.
A third man who was also working on the bridge was not seriously injured in the incident.
The two men were taken to University Hospital Limerick by ambulance but were later pronounced dead.
They had been working for Askeaton-based company Irish Bridge at the time. Irish Bridge had been contracted by Limerick City and County Council to carry out remedial work on the bridge.
The company has released a statement following the tragedy expressing their sympathy with the families of the two men.
“Irish Bridge would like to offer its sincerest sympathies to the families of Brian and TJ following this terrible tragedy,” the statement said this afternoon.
“It’s heart-breaking, our thoughts and prayers are with their families, relatives and friends at this very sad time. We would like to thank most sincerely the emergency service personnel for their professionalism.”
The company adds that it will co-operate fully with all investigations into the incident. Both An Garda Síochána and the Health and Safety Authority are looking into what happened.
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