POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland have appealed for information in relation to an incident in the Portballintrae area of Antrim on Sunday during which an 11-year-old girl lost her life.

Named locally as Armagh native Bethany Cousins, the young girl found herself in difficulty in the water at Runkerry Beach shortly after 2pm on 15 July. Despite rescue attempts by her father and a passer-by, she died a short time later at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.

According to U.TV, she was on holiday to the north coast with her family when the tragedy happened at Bushfoot Strand.

Local councillor Donal Cunningham expressed his sympathies and sadness following the young girl’s death.

This is a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out to the young girl’s family who must be totally devastated at this time.There is an overwhelming sense of sadness in Portballintrae as people learn that this child’s life has been taken in such a cruel way in an area of such beauty.

A funeral mass for the victim is due to take place today.

PSNI officers have asked anyone who was in the area at the time to contact them on 0845 600 8000.