GARDAÍ IN COUNTY Donegal have launched an investigation after a man died when his car entered the water at Buncrana Pier this morning.

A passer-by saw the car in the water around 7.30am and immediately contacted the emergency services.

A multi-agency search and rescue operation was launched in the area a short time later.

The car was then taken from the water and the body of a man in his 80s was found in the car.

The tragedy is close to the same location where five members of the same family lost their lives in March, 2016 when their car accidentally slipped into the water.

Gardai are still investigating the circumstances as to how the car ended up in the water this morning.

The Buncrana Pier and Swilly Road in Buncrana are currently closed to traffic as Gardaí conduct a technical examination.

Gardai have appealed to anybody who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed the tragedy to come forward.

A file will be prepared for the Coroner’s Court in due course.

A Garda spokesperson said “Anyone who was travelling in the vicinity of Buncrana Pier, the Swilly Road and Shore Front between 6:30am and 7:30am this morning to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 93 20 540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”