Fisherman rescued on life raft off Cork coast

A fisherman has been rescued on a life raft off the coast of Cork.

The alarm was raised before midnight. The family of the fisherman became concerned when his 14-metre fishing vessel failed to return to harbour at 11.30pm last night

Attempts were made to contact him by radio and phone, to no avail.

Ballycotton lifeboat station was contacted at 1am and a lifeboat and helicoptor were launched.

When close to the vessel’s last known position eight miles south of Ballycotton lighthouse, a red flare was set off and the fisherman was found safe and well in a life raft.

It is understood he had been in the life raft for about four hours.