The principal of St Mary’s Grammar has paid tribute to their pupil Imogen Cleary-Vong as someone who was “bright and talented” and had a “flair for art”.
The teenager passed away after being rescued from a Co Londonderry river at the weekend.
The 15 year old was reported missing in the water of Moyola River in Castledawson at around 5am on Sunday morning.
Emergency services attended the scene and the teenager was rescued from the water. She later died in hospital.
Mr Paul McClean, the principal of St. Mary’s Grammar said: “Our entire school community is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected death of our Year 11 pupil, Imogen Cleary-Vong.
“Imogen was a bright, talented young person with a wonderful flair for art in particular, and she will be deeply missed.
“We have a very close and tight knit school community and we have put arrangements in place to ensure that specialist support is available to help pupils, staff and families in the coming days and weeks ahead. We are making every effort to ensure that they are fully supported and encouraged to share their thoughts and emotions.
“We offer and share our sincere condolences to Imogen’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”
In a death notice Imogen was described as the beloved daughter of Michael and Pauline, loving sister of Dylan and Cody.
“Deeply regretted by her father, mother, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family circle and friends.”
Imogen’s funeral arrangements will be announced later in the week, her wake has not yet commenced.
Castledawson councillor Denise Johnston said the community in the south Derry village has been left totally heartbroken at the death of the St Mary’s Grammar School pupil.
GV’s of Moyola River on the 3rd February 2025 (Photo by Luke Jervis / Belfast Telegraph)
“She was such a bright, intelligent young girl, who had so much to live for,” said Ms Johnston. “For her parents, they will be living every parent’s nightmare, losing their only daughter.
“There is a lot of shock in the village,” she added. “No-one can quite believe such a beautiful young life has been lost in such tragic circumstances.”
In a statement a spokesperson for the PSNI said it had responded to a report of a female in the water in the Castledawson area on Sunday morning.
“Officers attended the scene, together with colleagues from other emergency services, where the female was rescued from the water,” they added.
“Sadly she later died in hospital. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.”
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