Friends of a Tyrone teenager who is presumed drowned took part in a frantic attempt to rescue him. Rhys Jack, 17, was one of a group of four who fell into the water from a makeshift raft in the Backtown area of Strabane on Monday evening.
Three other teenagers were rescued from the disused quarry.
Rhys' uncle, Darren McGarrigle, said his friends tried to save him but to no avail.
"We are just totally devastated. He is just a wee one. It shouldn't happen. The whole family is just absolutely in shock," he said.
"He was a typical teenager," he said.
"He had his wee cheeky moments, but he was very kind and funny. He was a good lad."
Chief Inspector Andy Lemon said: "At the moment we have police divers and a body recovery dog down at the scene. We also have some of the witnesses that were there yesterday, who are assisting those divers with Foyle Search and Rescue to identify the area in which Rhys drowned."
About 150 young people gathered at the scene on Monday night when word spread of the tragedy.
Community worker Teresa Stewart said the disused quarry site was popular with young people in the good weather. Ireland has been basking in Mediterranean temperatures for the best part of a week.
She said it was a "very distressing time for everybody" but that many people in the community had come out to offer support.
"It is quite a deep quarry, there's a lot of material in it. It will take some time, they are hopeful they will find him."
