Reposted from The Independent.ie:
THE family of a young Irishman swept out to sea by a huge Hurricane Katia
wave was last night holding a vigil as his body remained missing.
Keen amateur photographer Thomas Clarke
(33), from Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, was attempting to take pictures of the massive
waves at Monhegan Island in the US state of Maine, while
sightseeing with friends before a wedding.
He was swept out to sea at around 1pm on Friday as he walked on rocks close
to a cave near Norton Ledge on the Atlantic coast.
Mr Clarke was
nearest the sea when a massive wave hit.
US coastguards reported that two men dived into the waters to try and save
him but got into difficulties before swimming back to shore.
Mr Clarke’s camera bag and shoes were recovered but not his body.
Family, friends and relations attended a late night vigil and Mass at St
Patrick’s Church in Kilnaleck.
Fr Micheal Quinn, parish priest in Kilnaleck, said: “It was organised by the
community in an outpouring of sadness and grief to do something tangible as it
is difficult for the family as of yet as his body has not been discovered.
People are coming together in solidarity.
“The family is hopeful and prayerful that his body will be found. The
desolation is still in their hearts but it would give them the opportunity to
grieve if they had something tangible.”
Airlifted
Two of Mr Clarke’s brothers are believed to have flown out to Maine on
Saturday. He is also being mourned by his parents Thomas and Maura and several
other siblings.
Mr Clarke’s friend was due to marry his bride on Monhegan Island on
Saturday.
A woman who was with Mr Clarke’s group at the time he was swept out to sea
was so upset after the incident she had to be airlifted off the island by a
coastguard helicopter.
The US coastguard searched for Mr Clarke for 30 hours before calling off the
search around midday Irish time on Saturday.
They said there was a “negligible” chance he would have survived.
The Department
of Foreign Affairs confirmed it was providing consular assistance to Mr
Clarke’s family.
Mr Clarke, who was a skilled builder, had returned
to Ireland a few
years ago and was believed to have bought a house in Kilnaleck. However, he
returned to the US more than a year ago.
- Louise Hogan and Alistair Grant
