Man dies following swimming accident in Ballincollig while RNLI rescue trawler crew off Dursey

A MAN in his mid 40s, who got into difficulty while swimming at the Regional Park in Ballincollig yesterday evening, has died. Meanwhile, two men were rescued by the RNLI off Dursey earlier this morning

The alarm was raised in Ballincollig park around 7pm after the man disappeared below the surface while swimming. He was later found floating unconscious and emergency services attended the scene where CPR was carried out on the man. He was rushed to CUH in a critical condition but died last night.

Also earlier this morning Castletownbere RNLI rescued two fishermen from a sinking vessel. The volunteer crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 4.45am to go to the assistance of a fishing vessel, which was reported to be sinking 11 miles south west of Dursey Island on the Beara peninsula.

The Castletownbere lifeboat under Coxswain Brian O’Driscoll and with six crew members onboard was launched minutes later, at 4.55am. Weather conditions at the time were described as good with a Force three to four wind and good visibility.

The naval vessel LE Orla and the Irish Coast Guard’s Rescue 115 helicopter were also tasked.

The lifeboat was on scene at 5.50am where the crew found two fishermen in a life raft. Both men were taken aboard the lifeboat and were reported to be safe and well.

The lifeboat arrived back to Castletownbere at approximately 8am this morning.

Speaking following the call-out, Paul Stevens, Castletownbere RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Fortunately the weather conditions were favourable early this morning and we were able to quickly transfer the two fishermen into the safety of the lifeboat. Both are safe and well. They did the right thing this morning and raised the alarm when they got into difficulty.’