15 December 2008

Waterford Man feared drowned in Rome

A rural community in Co. Waterford is slowly coming to terms with the tragic loss of one of their younger local farmers, who is missing in Rome and presumed drowned.

The 27-year-old dairy farmer Vincent Thomas Wall from Colligan, a townland about five miles outside of Dungarvan in Co. Waterford, was staying in the Italian capital to attend the wedding of a friend.

Although precise details are not known, it is reported that Mr. Wall fell from a bridge into the swollen river Tiber (left) on Friday.
He was swiftly swept away by the fast moving waters and has not been seen since.
The incident is especially tragic as Mr. Wall was due to get married himself in January.

Italian emergency services, police units, Carabinieri and the Tiber river authority mounted a large search operation. But after three days no body has been found.

Several days of torrential rain have battered Rome and the surrounding provinces, causing the Tiber and other rivers to rise to dangerous levels. According to Italian news reports four people - not counting Mr. Wall - have so far died in the recent winter floods.

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