Last weekend Lagan Search and Rescue were made aware of a video circulating on social media of a young man encouraged to enter the water off the Lagan Weir footbridge as a dare.

Lagan SAR is a provider of Belfast's Independent Lifeboat and Water Search, Rescue and Recovery Service. It operates on the seaward River Lagan, Belfast Harbour Estate and Belfast Lough.

Lagan Weir Footbridge is a five-span structure across the River Lagan Weir on Belfast's waterfront. Developed as part of a wider regeneration project for the city, it is 120m in length, and its deck width varies from 4m to 10m at its widest.

Noel Keenan, a member of the Operational Management Committee of Lagan SAR, said, "To say we were disappointed to see the footage is an understatement. The actions of the men involved were hazardous and could have ended in a loss of life". Lagan Search and Rescue is involved in multiple emergency callouts for people entering the water close to this location throughout the year. He added, "Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, we can't save everyone. Don't become a statistic".

#NEWS UPDATE - The PSNI has confirmed that the body recovered from Belfast Lough yesterday morning is that of missing Stranraer man Carius McNicoll.

According to BBC News, the 24-year-old student was last seen on a ferry shortly before docking on 8 January.

His body was discovered near Holywood in Co Down. A post-mortem has confirmed that the cause of death was drowning.

In a separate incident yeserday, The Irish Times reports that a body recovered by divers in the River Lagan is believed to be that of a missing 20-year-old man.

John Murphy had reportedly entered the river at the Lagan Weir after an evening at the nearby Odyssey Arena last month. The body found has yet to be formally identified as Murphy.

In the wake of his loss, Murphy's family has called for an end to cheap drinks promotions.