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Lough Ree search for missing Northern Irish man | Lough Ree search for missing Northern Irish man |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A search for a man from Northern Ireland missing in a lake in County Westmeath has been scaled down for the night. | |
It is believed the man and two other men from NI left Athlone by boat to spend the night on an island in Lough Ree when they got into difficulties. | |
The other men were rescued and are in hospital. One of them is seriously ill. | The other men were rescued and are in hospital. One of them is seriously ill. |
An Irish Coastguard helicopter with heat-seeking equipment is continuing to search for the third man. | |
However, other aspects of the search have been stood down until first light on Friday. | |
Emergency services were called out at about 15:20 GMT. | |
An RNLI lifeboat recovered the first man, semi-conscious in the water, at about 16:00 GMT. | |
The second man was found at about 17:15 GMT. | |
The first man found is said to be about 30, the second man in his 50s. The missing man is also believed to be his 50s. | |
There are reports that the men are all from County Armagh. | |
Conditions on the lake were described as gusty at the time of the incident. | |
Lough Ree RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Damien Delaney said: "This was a major search and rescue operation on Lough Ree involving the RNLI, Coastguard, Athlone Sub Aqua, Lanesborough Sub Aqua, and other local boats. | |
"The lifeboat crew were able to rescue two men from the water but a third remains missing. | |
"Our thoughts are with the men's families this evening. We will be launching again at first light to resume the search." |