Man dies in sailing accident

One man died and five others were brought to hospital after a Galway hooker capsized today.

Valentia Coast Guard said two of the men were on board the McHugh vessel when it sunk in Galway Bay at around 10.30am.

Four people on a second hooker sailing nearby dived in to the cold water to try and rescue the pair.

“Unfortunately one of the people were deceased,” said a coast guard spokesman.

It is understood the traditional sailing boats were travelling across Galway Bay from Kinvara to Rossaveal in Co Galway when the incident occurred.

The Shannon based Coast Guard helicopter airlifted the second man from the McHugh to University Hospital in Galway.

The four others who had been on board the second boat, Blaith na hOige, were brought ashore by lifeboat crews and taken to hospital suffering from the cold and exposure.

The body of the dead man, who is believed to be in his 60s, was also brought ashore by Galway lifeboat.

A coast Guard spokesman said conditions were not bad on the bay.

“We have no idea what happened,” he added.

“The Hooker sank and another hooker accompanying it took the two on board.

“But the man was deceased before the helicopter crew arrived.

“He is somebody’s father, somebody’s child,” he added.

The Blaith na hOige was towed to Galway docks.