Search for man lost overboard

A search will recommence today for a man lost overboard in Lough Neagh.

The man was reported missing at 9pm last night when he fell off a cabin cruiser around 150 yards from the western shore of the lough near Kells Point.

The two remaining crew on the boat tried to throw lifejackets at him but he failed to grab hold and disappeared from view.

Lifeboats based Ardboe and a police helicopter were involved in a two-and-a-half-hour search operation.

The water temperature in the lough was only four degree Celsius last night.

Watch Manager from the Lough Neagh Independent Rescue Lifeboat, Steve Palmer, said: “Despite the valiant efforts of all concerned we did not manage to find the man who had fallen overboard.

“I can only praise the efforts of all search units involved and had this person been visible at any time, the units would have probably located him. However, given the water and air temperatures at the time of the incident, it’s unlikely that a person would survive in the water for any length of time.

“I’d like to offer the Coastguard’s sympathies to the family of the missing man involved in this extremely unfortunate accident.”