Family rescued from sinking speedboat

Three people were tonight rescued from a sinking speedboat.

A local couple and their teenage son were taken from Lough Derg near Killaloe Co Clare at 7.30pm.

The Killaloe/Ballina Search and Rescue Unit responded to a call from the coastguard when the vessel’s engine began to sink 500 yards from shore.

Spokesman Michael Quigley said: “The engine failed and the boat took back wash from a swell.

“The family were forced to jump into the water but we rescued them within 15 minutes.”

They were taken to Killaloe where they were medically assessed by an ambulance team before being allowed to go home.