Survivor recalls events as inquest into TitBonhomme tragedy opens

The sole survivor of the Tit Bonhomme tragedy off the west Cork coast last year has been giving evidence today at the inquest into the deaths of five men in the incident.

The skipper and four crew members died when the trawler sank as it was returning to Union Hall at the mouth of Glandore Harbour in January 2012.

The one man who survived - Abdelbaky Mohamed - has recalled being woken by a bang and the crew made their way to the wheel house where they dialled 999 and put on life jackets.

They were unable to reach the rafts as the conditions were so rough and was washed out to sea where the force of the water ripped off his clothes and life jacket.

However, he managed to grab on to the belt of the jacket which he admitted saved his life.

After up to four hours in the water he reached Glandore shore where he was rescued by helicopter and rushed to hospital.

The search continued for 27 days for the remaining five bodies.