A close-knit community has sent its condolences to the family of two young children who died when a car plunged into a loch.
Sister and brother Leia and Seth McCorrisken were trapped inside the vehicle when it went into deep water at Loch nan Druimnean near Kilmelford in Argyll and Bute.
The tragedy involving the youngsters – aged three and two – has left local stunned.
The community council has sent flowers to their family and offered to help in any way it can.
And police confirmed yesterday they are still investigating the incident on the A816 Oban-Lochgilphead road around 4pm on Wednesday.
Passing motorist Jimmy McMahon, 24, who is a painter and decorator from Lochgilphead, dived into the water to try to save the children but was unable to reach them.
A 36-year-old woman was taken to hospital in nearby Oban following the incident but was released after treatment.
The children’s parents, Hazel Lancaster and Neil McCorrisken, are from Helensburgh but have recently moved to live on the isle of Luing.
Kilninver and Kilmelford Community Council treasurer, Stuart Cannon, said the community had sent flowers to the family.
He said: “I don’t know what else we can do, but it lets them know that we’re thinking of them and giving them our deepest sympathy and condolences.
“We are deeply sorry that such a tragic accident could occur and if the community can do anything to help we would obviously like to do that.
“I think we were all shocked to discover the loch was so deep that close to the road.”
He added he was not aware of any other accidents at the location, but said concerns had been raised about the safety of the stretch of road and whether barriers should be installed along the side of the loch.
Mr Cannon said the community council would discuss the issue at its next meeting in August.
Argyll and Bute Council leader Dick Walsh said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone affected by this tragic situation.
“Every accident and tragedy is bad but, when it involves young children, it becomes even more significant for us.
“It’s terrible when young lives are lost.”
He added that the local authority was aware of public concerns about the safety of the road following the incident and said it would be discussing the issues raised.
A police spokeswoman said yesterday: “Officers are carrying out inquiries and continuing with the investigation”
She added that a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
