Two crewmen missing as trawler sinks off Down coast

A major search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of Co Down following the sinking of a fishing vessel with three crewmen on board.

The operation was launched just before 9pm last night when a distress beacon from the sunken boat was picked up by the coastguard in Falmouth.

The skipper of the Greenhill was found on a life-raft around half an hour later, but there was no sign of the other two crew members.

Two lifeboats, a police helicopter, the Dublin Coast Guard helicopter and dozens of local boats all took part in a search last night that was due to resume at first light today.

The Greenhill is believed to have sunk after hitting rocks off Ardglass.