Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Friends of 14-year-old Gracie Gordon speak about their memories of her

A 14-year-old girl has died after falling into a river in Larne, County Antrim, on Tuesday night.

She went into the River Inver at about 21:00 GMT and a rescue operation including firefighters, ambulance staff, the Coastguard and police began.

The victim, who has been named locally as Gracie Gordon, was taken out of the water and treated by paramedics but later died.

Her death is believed to have been a tragic accident.

'Steep embankment'

The incident was reported to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) at 21:17 GMT on Tuesday.

"Appliances from Larne Fire Station and Ballyclare Fire Station as well as our specialist rescue team attended the incident," said NIFRS Commander Dermot Rooney.

"The specialist rescue team rescued the 14-year-old girl from the river and used specialist equipment to lift her up a steep embankment.

"She was then given over to the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service."

Image copyright Kevin McAuley Image caption A police cordon was set up at the river after the incident on Tuesday night

After confirmation of her death, Mr Rooney said: "Our thoughts and sincerest condolences are with her family and friends at this difficult time."

It is understood the girl was taken to Antrim Area Hospital after being pulled from the river.

"Coastguard crews from Larne and Portmuck assisted the police and two lifeboats were launched from Larne," a Coastguard spokesperson said.

'Shocked and horrified'

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor Paul Reid said the town's community was "shocked and horrified" by what happened.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family - it's particularly tragic at this time of year when parents are going about preparing for Christmas," he added.

"This is just so tragic - there's a dark cloud over the town today."

Mr Reid praised the emergency services for their work.

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs said people in the area had "great sympathy with the family concerned".

"It is always tragic when anyone loses their life, particularly a young person," he said.