Fisherman rescued after being washed overboard

A fisherman was rescued from the sea in rough conditions near Portrush this morning.

Two people were onboard the 16-foot boat near Ballintoy, Co Antrim, shortly after 9am.

The victim was attempting to retrieve an anchor when he was caught by a wave and pulled into the freezing water.

He was recovered onto the vessel by his crewmate but both were suffering from cold and shock.

RNLI spokesman Paddy McLaughlin said: “These two men were extremely lucky today. One man had already entered the freezing water before getting back on the boat and they were both in need of medical assistance by the time we had reached them.”

The rescue operation lasted three hours and was the second major rescue for the RNLI in the area.

Two people were rescued from the sea at Portrush after becoming caught in the tide off West Strand.

A member of the public heard them shouting for help and made a 999 call.

The pair, who had thought they saw a dog struggling to get ashore, were rescued by the Portrush lifeboat.