Two die in beach tragedy

Two elderly women died last night after being taken from the water at Inch Beach in Co Kerry.

A lifeguard about to go off duty observed the women, nuns in their 60s according to unconfirmed local reports, in difficulties shortly after 7pm and a rescue operation was mounted.

Two ambulance units were called, as was a Coast Guard helicopter, which airlifted the women in serious condition to Kerry General Hospital, in Tralee.