Two dead, a third missing after West Cork shore accident
By Eoin English
A search for a man who was swept into the sea off west Cork has been stood down for the night.
A man and woman died after also being caught in currents off Baltimore.
It happened at around 6.40pm and a major search and rescue operation was mounted.
The search will now resume at first light, around 5am.
Two people are dead and a major search is underway for a third after a freak shore accident in West Cork this evening.
Several people were walking on rocks below the landmark Beacon in Baltimore at around 6.30pm when it is believed one person either fell or was swept into the ocean.
It is believed that one or two people in the group then entered the water seconds later to help but got into difficulty.
The alarm was raised by a fourth person in the group.
Baltimore inshore and all-weather lifeboats responded immediately and were on the scene within minutes.
They recovered a male and female casualty from the water, close to the rocks, a short time later.
They were unconscious and in critical condition.
They were due to be airlifted to Cork University Hospital by coast guard helicopter but were pronounced dead.
A major search involving lifeboats and divers is now underway for the third person, believed to be a young man.
Two people have been recovered from the water and a major search is underway for a third after a freak shore accident in West Cork this evening.
Several people were walking on rocks below the landmark Beacon in Baltimore at around 6.30pm when it is believed one person either fell or was swept into the oceans.
It is believed that one or two people in the group then entered the water seconds later to help but got into difficulty.
The alarm was raised by a fourth person in the group.
Baltimore inshore and all-weather lifeboats responded immediately and were on the scene within minutes.
They recovered a male and female casualty from the water, close to the rocks, a short time later.
They were unconscious and are described as being in critical condition.
They are being airlifted to Cork University Hospital by coast guard helicopter.
A major search involving lifeboats and divers is now underway for the third person.
