A fisherman has lost his life and another has sustained serious injuries on a Spanish fishing boat off the Kerry coast.
The emergency was reported shortly after 9am when the Coast Guard’s Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre in Valentia, Co Kerry, was contacted by Spanish authorities in Madrid, reports RTE.
It is believed the two crew members were hurt when a rope broke suddenly on the fishing vessel, named Novoalborada.
One of the men passed away on the boat before he could receive medical attention or be transported to hospital, reports RTE.
A major rescue effort was launched, directed from Valentia, and included the Coast Guard fixed-wing aircraft along with two Coast Guard helicopters – 115 from Shannon and 118 from Waterford.
The surviving injured crewman was brought aboard Rescue 118 and is now being airlifted to Cork University Hospital.
Sea conditions have been described as “very challenging” with waves reaching five to six metres. Both helicopters required refuelling during the mission, reports RTE.
The trawler moved towards calmer waters closer to the Kerry shoreline to allow the second fisherman to be taken onto one of the helicopters.
Arrangements are currently underway to bring his body to the nearest port, most likely Daingean Uà Chúis, reports RTE.
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