Man dies after getting into difficulty at Cork beach
The Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 was also tasked from Waterford, while the National Ambulance Service tasked ambulances and its air and medical helicopter to the scene.
A man in his fifties has died after he got in to difficulty in the sea at Inch Beach, near Roches Point in Co Cork this afternoon.
It is understood he had gone to the aid of a number of young people.
The Irish Coastguard in Valentia, Co Kerry received a notification that five people had got in to difficulty in the water off Inch Beach in Inch at 3pm today.
Four people were rescued from the water.
The man who rushed in to the sea was taken from the water in a serious condition.
He was tended to by paramedics at the beach.
He was subsequently transferred to Cork University Hospital by ambulance where he has since died.
A postmortem examination will be carried out on the deceased.
A file will be prepared for the Coroners’ Court.
It is understood the man is from the northside of Cork city.
A spokesperson for the Irish Coastguard said that the centre was informed of the “serious incident” in the mid-afternoon.
"The search and rescue coast guard units at Guileen and Crosshaven along with the RNLI from Ballycotton and Crosshaven were alerted. Rescue Helicopter 117 from Waterford was also tasked to to go to the scene.
"Four people were rescued from the sea by members of the public. One person was subsequently recovered from the water in a serious condition. He was transferred by the National Ambulance Service to Cork University Hospital.
"Gardai and the Fire Service were also at the scene and assistance was offered by the Irish Naval Service.”
A garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí and local emergency services responded to an incident in Inch Strand in Whitegate, Co.Cork shortly before 3pm this afternoon, Friday, 23rd August 2024.
"A number of people had gotten into difficulty in the water at the location.
"A man, aged in his 50s, was removed from the water. He was later pronounced deceased.
"Arrangements will now be made for a post-mortem and the local coroner has been notified."
It is understood that one person was taken to hospital by air ambulance after five people were taken from the water in a major rescue operation in East Cork this afternoon.
The incident began just after 3pm, when the Irish Coast Guard at Valentia was alerted to five people who had been reported as being in difficulty in the water off Inch Beach near Whitegate.
A major search and rescue operation was immediately initiated, with the local Coast Guard unit from Guileen, a unit from Crosshaven Coast Guard, and RNLI rescue boats from Crosshaven and Ballycotton, all dispatched to the scene.
The Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 was also tasked from Waterford, while the National Ambulance Service tasked ambulances and its air and medical helicopter to the scene.
Five people were rescued from the water, and one of them who required medical attention was transferred to the National Ambulance Service and taken by helicopter to hospital.
In a statement to The Echo, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard said: "Today at 3pm, the Coast Guard at MRSC Valentia were alerted to several persons in difficulty in the water at Inch Beach, County Cork.
"A search and rescue mission was immediately initiated with the local Coast Guard unit from Guileen, Crosshaven Coast Guard and RNLI rescue boats, Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat, in addition to the Coast Guard helicopter R117 from Waterford tasked to the scene.
"Four persons were rescued from the water by members of the public; however one person was subsequently recovered from the water requiring medical attention and was transferred to the National Ambulance Service who had also deployed to the scene."
More to follow.
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