Coastguard helicopters dispatched to help unconscious fisherman

Two Coastguard helicopters have been dispatched to evacuate an injured man from a fishing vessel 160 miles off the west coast.

The 54-year-old is thought to have been working on board the Spanish vessel when he suffered head injuries which left him unconscious.

A request for help from Ireland was made by the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Madrid after the vessel made contact with them via satellite phone.

The Shannon coastguard helicopter is en route to the scene and will take the man back to hospital in Ireland, while the Sligo-based helicopter is also attending to provide cover.