Photographer dies after falling from rocks

A photographer has died after falling off rocks and into the sea at Fanad Lighthouse off the coast of Donegal.

The man, understood to be in his 60s and from Antrim, was taking photographs when he lost his footing.

He fell onto rocks and became trapped in a gully at the bottom of the cliffs.

Another person on the scene contacted Malin Head Coast Radio station at 2.42pm.

A rescue mission was launched involving two lifeboats from the Lough Swilly RNLI at Buncrana as well as the Mulroy Coastguard and the Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo.

Two local fishing boats, the Mary Ellen and the Annie, also rushed to the scene.

The rescue boats could not get to the man because of a Force 7-8 gale blowing north-westerly towards the shore.

The Mulroy Coastguard eventually managed to get to him and took him to shore where the helicopter took him to Letterkenny General Hospital.

CPR was performed at the scene but the man was pronounced dead a short time later at the hospital.

A spokesman for Malin Head Radio coastguard said conditions were very bad at the time, with heavy seas and gale force winds. He appealed to people to take extra care when walking or exploring the coastline.

Local newspaper editor John McAteer, from the Tirconail Tribune, who lives next to the lighthouse, said conditions were very dangerous.

“This was a particularly difficult task for the rescue services as it was blowing a gale. The conditions were almost impossible to work in and the fact that they even got to the casualty is a testament to their professionalism.

“It highlights the dangers of walking the coastline and going exploring on cliffs.

“Fanad Lighthouse is a spectacular setting but the sea can be so dangerous around here.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the man and his family at this time,” he said.