Man dies after getting into difficulty swimming at popular beach

A file is to be prepared for the coroner after a person died following an incident at Whiting Bay in Waterford this afternoon.

A number of swimmers got into difficulty in the water, and emergency services responded.

One of them - a man aged in his 20s - was airlifted to CUH, where he was later pronounced dead.

No other injuries have been reported.

Crew members from Youghal RNLI in addition to units of the Irish Coast Guard attended the incident after the alarm was raised shortly before 1.30pm this afternoon.

A spokesperson for Youghal RNLI told The Echo: “Youghal RNLI was requested to launch its inshore lifeboat at 1.25pm following a request by the Irish Coast Guard to go to the aid of three swimmers thought to be in difficulty 150m from the shore in Whiting Bay near Youghal Harbour.

“The alarm was raised by a member of the public. 

"Two of the swimmers subsequently made it to shore unaided and the lifeboat began a search for the third swimmer.

“The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 from Waterford was also tasked along with the Coast Guard Units from Youghal and Ardmore.

“Youghal RNLI located the casualty and they were subsequently airlifted by helicopter and transferred to Cork University Hospital.”

A statement from An Garda Síochána said: "Gardaí and emergency services responded to an incident at Whiting Bay, Ardmore, Co. Waterford this afternoon Friday 28th April 2023.

"At approximately 1:30pm, Gardaí received report that a number of individuals had gotten into difficulty while swimming."

"The Coast Guard removed three people from the water. 

"One of these individuals, a man aged in his early 20s, was taken by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he later pronounced deceased.

"No other injuries have been reported at this time.

"A file will be prepared for the coroner."