Game of rock-jumping into sea ends in tragedy

A GAME of jumping into the sea from rocks had tragic consequences for one of three men rescued in an air and sea operation in the North.

A change in wind direction was believed to have claimed the life of the man, who died in hospital after being rescued off the Causeway Coast in Co Antrim.

The man, who has not been named, drifted out to sea with two other men after jumping off rocks on Saturday near Dunluce Castle - a tourist attraction along a coast that also includes the Giant’s Causeway. The emergency services received a 999 call from a 14-year-old girl who was with the group but who was on the shore when the men were swept out to sea.

Her call sparked an air and sea rescue involving members of the Coastguard in Belfast, lifeboat crews in Ballycastle and Portrush and a helicopter from Prestwick. A paramedic was also dispatched to the scene.

John Hope of the Coastguard said: “The boys had been jumping into the sea, but there were 12 to 15 feet swells in the area and they were swept out. A teenage girl, who was with them, raised the alarm and sparked the operation.

“The sea is very treacherous. Even in a boat around the rocks, it’s dangerous.

“So to be jumping into the sea from rocks is not something I would advise people to do.”

The three men were pulled out of the water by a lifeboat crew and the girl was helicoptered from the shore.

All four were taken to the Causeway hospital in Coleraine, where they were reported to be suffering from various degrees of hypothermia and shock.

However, one of the group lost his battle to survive.

In another incident, four people were rescued yesterday off the Down coast after their speedboat capsized.

A large-scale air and sea rescue operation was launched at Ardglass after the alarm was raised at about 10.30am.

The emergency services received several 999 calls from golfers on a nearby course who saw the capsized boat, which was hit by a freak wave. All four managed to hang on to the boat.

They were not injured.