Belfast man Anthony Smyth went missing after getting into difficulty in the water on Wednesday
Tributes have been paid to a Northern Irish tourist who died after getting into difficulty while swimming in a lake in Turkey.
Anthony Smyth from North Belfast had travelled to the Antalya region of Turkey to visit his girlfriend, Susana.
The pair had been on a boat trip at Oymapinar Dam Lake in the Manavgat district on Wednesday when he went missing while swimming in the water. His body was recovered from the lake five days later.
READ MORE: Body of missing NI tourist recovered from lake in TurkeyREAD MORE: Fears over Belfast city centre violence amid rising youth gang incidents, assaults and drug crimes
Speaking to Belfast Live, Anthony’s friend Gerald O’Neill described how he “loved life.”
“Anthony loved his life, he loved getting away on holiday, and he loved Cliftonville,” he said.
“We got word on Thursday morning that they were searching for him after he went into the water sometime on Wednesday and never came out again.”
Gerald described how the whole community in North Belfast have been shocked by the news of Anthony’s death.
“My wife is a friend of his family. They lived across the road from them their whole lives, and the whole family would be well known here.
“We have set up a GoFundMe to help with the funeral arrangements. We thought it would help with the repatriation as well, but that has been covered.
“As a group of friends, this is us getting together to do something, as it is the least thing we can do for him to help the family on his behalf.
“Our hands were tied when they were over there searching for him, and we were sitting here waiting for information and couldn’t help.
“We all feel that this is the least we can do.”
A statement on the GoFundMe page reads: “We are heartbroken to share that our dear friend Anthony tragically drowned while on holiday at Green Canyon, Turkey. He was having a wonderful time with his girlfriend, Susana, when the accident happened.
“We’ve started a GoFundMe to support Anthony’s family during this devastating time. Any help or shares are deeply appreciated.”
To donate to the GoFundMe campaign, click here.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
#loved #lifeHeartbroken #friends #pay #tribute #tourist #drowned #Turkish #lake
