This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26675365
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Lough Ree search for missing Northern Irish man | Lough Ree search for missing Northern Irish man |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two men from Northern Ireland are critically ill in hospital and a third is missing after their boat sank while on a fishing trip in County Westmeath. | Two men from Northern Ireland are critically ill in hospital and a third is missing after their boat sank while on a fishing trip in County Westmeath. |
The men, from a County Armagh angling club, had been planning to camp on an island in Lough Ree when they got into difficulties on Thursday afternoon. | The men, from a County Armagh angling club, had been planning to camp on an island in Lough Ree when they got into difficulties on Thursday afternoon. |
A search operation for the missing man, led by the Irish coastguard, has been stood down for the night. | |
It is to resume at first light on Friday. | It is to resume at first light on Friday. |
Emergency services were called out at about 15:20 GMT on Thursday. | Emergency services were called out at about 15:20 GMT on Thursday. |
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. | 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. | 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. |
Conditions on the lake were described as gusty at the time of the incident. | Conditions on the lake were described as gusty at the time of the incident. |
Richie O'Hara from the nearby Bay Sports Centre said the alarm was raised by other anglers the men were due to meet. | Richie O'Hara from the nearby Bay Sports Centre said the alarm was raised by other anglers the men were due to meet. |
"Two of the party called into our centre and they were quite concerned about three of their party who they had arranged to meet further up the lake," he said. | "Two of the party called into our centre and they were quite concerned about three of their party who they had arranged to meet further up the lake," he said. |
"When they hadn't arrived as planned, those two gentleman who called in came back down the lake looking for them." | "When they hadn't arrived as planned, those two gentleman who called in came back down the lake looking for them." |
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. | 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. | "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." | "Our thoughts are with the men's families this evening. We will be launching again at first light to resume the search." |