Weather hampers rescue bid

Severe weather was today hampering a bid to airlift crew members from a Spanish trawler in trouble off the Galway coast.

The UK-registered Slebech 2 lost engine power about 50 miles west of Slyne Head after a net became stuck in the propeller.

Attempts to airlift 12 Spanish crew members by helicopter were abandoned in the early hours.

A coastguard spokesman said a tug was standing by the vessel and was hoping to tow it into Galway harbour tonight once weather conditions had improved.

None of the crew members was injured in the incident.