Girl scout dies after falling 40ft from coastguard helicopter rescuing her from 15ft waves 

               

A teenage girl scout has died after falling from a rescue helicopter into the sea.

An investigation is underway after Aoife Winterlich, 14, plunged 40ft as she was being winched to safety.
The teenager, from Dublin, was on a trip with the scouts at at Hook Head, Co Wexford, on Sunday when four of the group ran into trouble.
Two managed to make it back to dry land on their own but Aoife and a male companion had to be rescued as waves reached 15ft high, the Irish Mirror reported.
Due to the immediate danger, the coastguard decided to winch the two youngsters together.
Aoife is believed to have fallen 40ft as she was being lifted.
She hit her head and was swept out to sea.

                

Beauty spot: The scouting group was at Hook Head, Co Wexford, when the tragedy happened

The teenager was rescued and rushed to Waterford University Hospital before later being transferred to Crumlin Hospital.

Sadly, Aoife died yesterday, five days after the incident.

Scouting Ireland said in a statement that they were heartbroken by Aoife’s passing.

They said: “Everyone in the Scouting community in Ireland is devastated by her death.

“On behalf of all our members, we extend our deepest sympathies to her family, who have lost a much loved daughter and sister.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very sad time. She had recently joined the 55th South Circular Road Scout Group and in her short time with the group she was an enthusiastic and popular member who participated fully in all activities...

“As you would expect, they are deeply upset and saddened by the death of their fellow scout. May she rest in peace.”