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Honeymoon drowning: Funeral of John and Lynette Rodgers due to take place Honeymoon drowning: Funeral of John and Lynette Rodgers takes place
(about 2 hours later)
The funeral is due to take place of a couple from Northern Ireland who drowned while on honeymoon in South Africa. A couple from Northern Ireland who drowned while on honeymoon in South Africa will not be forgotten, a family friend has said at their funeral.
John and Lynette Rodgers, from Holywood, County Down, were found on a beach at Plettenberg Bay on 23 October. John and Lynette Rodgers, from Holywood, were found on a beach at Plettenberg Bay on 23 October.
Efforts were made to resuscitate them, but they were declared dead at the scene.Efforts were made to resuscitate them, but they were declared dead at the scene.
Their funeral will take place at First Presbyterian Church in Holywood, where the couple got married. Their funeral is taking place at First Presbyterian Church in Holywood, where the couple got married.
Traumatised
Mrs Rodgers, 26, was a physiotherapist from Holywood.Mrs Rodgers, 26, was a physiotherapist from Holywood.
Her 28-year-old husband was originally from Ballygowan, County Down, and worked for a printing company in Holywood. Her 28-year-old husband was originally from Ballygowan in County Down, and worked for a printing company in Holywood.
John Hall, a retired schoolteacher, lives a short distance from the beach and was one of those who tried to save the couple. Friend Billy Mawhinney told mourners: "The tragic events in South Africa have extinguished their bright flame too soon but we will never forget our daughter, son, sister, brother or friend.
He said finding their bodies had left him and others involved in the rescue attempt traumatised. "We set out to write a tribute but there are no words to immortalise John and Lynette.
"Looking down to the water, I saw the body of a man," he said. "So share your stories, shed your tears, make their memories everyone's and remember what a beautiful couple they were and always will be over the rainbow."
Rocked He added that the couple's families were grateful to those who had worked to bring their bodies back to Northern Ireland.
"I raced down, and within seconds two other gentlemen joined me and we were able to get John Rodgers out of the water. Earlier, a retired schoolteacher who lives a short distance from the beach at Plettenberg Bay described how he tried to save the couple.
"Two ladies appeared and they spotted a second body about 20m away and we raced down there and got Lynette out of the shallow water. John Hall told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that finding their bodies had left him and others involved in the rescue attempt traumatised.
"When we pulled the bodies out of the water, we were all convinced that all had been lost. Both were deceased by the time they were washed up."When we pulled the bodies out of the water, we were all convinced that all had been lost. Both were deceased by the time they were washed up.
"The entire town has been rocked by this tragedy.""The entire town has been rocked by this tragedy."
Last week, a wreath-laying service was held in South Africa in memory of the couple.Last week, a wreath-laying service was held in South Africa in memory of the couple.