An Irish teenager collapsed and died of shock on Sunday upon being told of his friend’s death while on holiday on the Greek island of Ios, it has been reported.
Recent graduates Andrew O’Donnell and his classmate Max Wall, both 18 and part of the same school excursion to the island, died in separate tragic incidents over the weekend.
Local authorities have said O’Donnell likely fell and hit his head while walking home to his hotel in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Shortly after O’Donnell’s body was found on Sunday morning, Wall collapsed upon being told about the death of his friend, according to local media, with reports saying the youngster had a history of heart problems.
Tributes have poured in for the two teenagers who had just graduated from Dublin’s St Michael’s College, a private Catholic school, whose headmaster said ‘our hearts are broken’ and families have been plunged into ‘deep sadness’.
Local authorities have launched two separate investigations into the deaths.
Recent graduates Andrew O’Donnell (left) and his classmate Max Wall (right), both 18 and from the same school, died in separate tragic incidents over the weekend
Tributes have poured in for the two teenagers who had just graduated from Dublin’s St Michael’s College, a private Catholic school, with local authorities launching two separate investigations into their deaths. Pictured: Flowers outside St, Michael’s College in Dublin, Ireland, after the deaths of two recent graduates on the Greek island of Ios, July 3
The twin tragedy first struck on Saturday when O’Donnell was out with a team of schoolmates on the Greek island of Ios (pictured)
The twin tragedy first struck on Saturday when O’Donnell was out with a team of schoolmates from the Dublin’s St Michael’s College, a private Catholic school.
Some time after midnight he decided to return to his hotel room alone, but never made it back. He was found by police at around 10.30am local time on Sunday.
His body showed signs of having fallen. Police spokesman Konstantine Dimoglidou suggested: ‘He must have taken a wrong path home, stumbling over a cliff.’
He had been reported missing by a friend, who was with him until 1.30am on Saturday morning in the town of Hora, according to The Irish times.
The pair then became separated while making their way back to the hotel. O’Donnell was reported missing that evening, at around 9pm on Saturday.
‘His body, found the next day and after a search alert was called by his friends and father who could not locate him for hours,’ Dimoglidou added.
No sooner had that tragedy struck, one of O’Donnell’s classmates, Max Wall, collapsed while waiting for a ferry at the island’s port the following day.
They were waiting to return to the Greek capital of Athens when he was found unconscious by a member of the public at around 2pm on Sunday – less than four hours after O’Donnell’s body is understood to have been found.
Emergency services rushed him to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Prominent Greek news website cyclades24 reported that Wall lost consciousness when he was told about O’Donnell’s death while at the ferry port.
Citing a local anonymous police source, The Mirror reported that Max had a history of heart problems, and that the two teens had been close friends. Police believe Max died of shock, the newspaper said.
‘We understand that Max who was discovered in the port had a history of heart problems,’ the police source told the publication. ‘Friends who were with him described him collapsing on hearing about Andrew. They were close,’ he added.
‘He just collapsed and died,’ Dimoglidou said earlier on Monday. ‘He too was taken to the local hospital and his death recorded.’
Both bodies have been transferred from to the port city of Piraeaus for twin autopsies to be performed to determine the exact cause of their deaths.
‘Blood samples and tissues will be examined to establish the causes of their deaths,’ local authorities said.
Flowers outside St, Michael’s College in Dublin after the deaths of two recent graduates on the Greek island of Ios. Tributes have been paid to the two teenagers, Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, as ‘bright, sporting, academic’ young men. Picture date: Monday July 3, 2023
A woman lays flowers outside St, Michael’s College in Dublin on Monday
Speaking to MailOnline on Monday, a senior police spokesman said it was a ‘sad occurrence.’ He added an investigation had been launched ‘to probe the causes of the sudden deaths.’ It is understood each death will be investigated individually.
O’Donnell and Wall were among a party of some 20 classmates who had recently graduated from St. Michael’s College in Dublin, a private school that ranks among Ireland’s best and counts several professional Rugby players among its alumni, as well as comedian David O’Doherty.
The late Dermot Morgan, best known for his role playing the titular character in ‘Father Ted,’ also taught English at the school before becoming a full time actor.
The group of 20 arrived in Greece last week to celebrate their graduation.
St Michael’s College released a statement on Sunday about the death of Andrew before later confirming Max had also died.
This prompted tributes to pour in for the two ‘bright, sporting, academic’ young men, including from Ireland’s Tanaiste (deputy Prime Minister) Micheál Martin.
Mr Martin said he had spoken to the school principal on Monday morning.
‘They are devastated,’ he said. ‘Two outstanding young men with their lives ahead of them and our thoughts and our prayers are with the families and their friends.
‘And obviously many of their friends are out there in Ios and it’s a very, very difficult time for them now and we just ask them to look after each other over the next number of days and in the difficult time ahead.’
He added: ‘It is devastating and the most traumatic news that any parent could hear and it is every parent’s nightmare and many of our sons and daughters go abroad after leaving certificates and after exams.
‘And we’re a country where many people travel now and accidents can happen anywhere, I think we have to say that, but in this context our officials and our department is there to help and to offer support when terrible, sad events like this occur.’
Minister for Education Norma Foley said that there are ‘no words’ to describe the heartbreaking news.
‘Heartfelt sympathies to the school community at St Michael’s College and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Andrew, Max and their classmates.’
Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill said on Twitter that her thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and school community at St Michael’s, and has written to the school to extend her condolences.
Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said his thoughts were with students on holiday in Greece who were ‘now encountering such shock and pain and grief’.
On Monday, principal of St Michael’s College Tim Kelleher said that representatives of the school’s parent association had flown to the Greek island to support the families. ‘We’re absolutely devastated, the entire community is reeling with the news over the last 24 hours,’ he said.
‘Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the bereaved families, some of the parents association reps have flown out to the island to give them some support in their time of need,’ he told RTE’s Morning Ireland.
He described Andrew as a ‘fantastic young man, great sportsman, fantastic footballer’ who was academically bright, and was forward to his holiday and to attending college. ‘A very, very bright future,’ he said.
He described Max as ‘very bright’, ‘passionate about rugby’ and had ‘the world at his feet’. ‘Full of optimism and hope for the future.
‘Unfortunately both families got the news yesterday that their future had been taken from them and we’re obviously devastated for them, their family and friends, and we’re here to help and support in any way we can in the next days and weeks.’
He said that the group of classmates who had been on holiday with them are ‘absolutely traumatised’ and are on their way home.
He said that the school is open, there is a book of condolences open and supports are available to those who need them.
Four bouquets of flowers have been placed at the Dublin school; the Irish tricolour and the school flag are being flown at half mast outside the front door.
The Irish tricolour and the school flag being flown at half mast outside St, Michael’s College
‘We are heartbroken. We are a tight-knit community and these are two fantastic young men with their whole lives ahead of them.
‘Bright, sporting, academic men, who had their whole lives ahead of them,’ Mr Kelleher continued.
‘There are hundreds and hundreds of families this morning plunged into deep, deep sadness because of what has occurred and again we are reeling with it.
‘It’s exactly the nightmare that every parent dreads when group holidays and big groups of children go away.
‘You just don’t want to get that call to say your child is missing.
‘But two of our families have had that call and we are devastated for them, and our hearts are broken and our sympathy goes to them all.’
The past president of St Michael’s Union Tom McCormack said it was the ‘darkest day’ in the history of the Dublin school.
‘It was a devastating day, we’ve been heartened by the huge volume of messages of support from government ministers, councillors, senators, other schools.
‘Our sister school, St Mary’s, eight years ago had the Berkeley tragedy and we are now experiencing our darkest day.’
The school said in a statement on Sunday that it was ‘a day of immense sadness for the school’, and said their thoughts were with the family and friends of the two boys.
The school encouraged students who want to know more about available supports to contact staff members.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman confirmed it is aware of both cases and is providing consular assistance.
O’Donnell, the school said, was a ‘popular classmate and friend’ and was a member of its football team.
‘He was kind to those around him, honest in all of his endeavours, and a great brother to Rory (Transition Year). Andrew will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him,’ it said in a statement on its website.
‘Our thoughts are with Andrew’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.
Wall, it continued, ‘was a constant source of positivity, encouragement and fun for all of those around him. He was extremely popular with staff and students alike, and a fantastic supporter of our teams during the various cup campaigns.
‘Our thoughts are with Max’s family at this awful time and with his friends who have experienced such shocking loss over the last 24 hours.’
O’Donnell and Wall were among a party of some 20 classmates who arrived in Greece last week to celebrate their high school graduation on the island of Ios
‘Our school staff are available to speak with and assist any students who would like to connect over the coming days and weeks,’ the school added.
Under each update on its website, the school wrote and Irish message of condolence: ‘Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam’, meaning ‘may his holy soul be on the right side of God’.
Ireland’s education minister said the news was ‘devastating’. Simon Harris said his thoughts were with ‘all leaving cert students abroad in Greece who were enjoying holidays after exams and are now encountering such shock and pain and grief’.
The Foreign Affair office said it was aware of the cases and providing consular assistance.
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