Fisherman plucked from sea after boat hits rocks
A fisherman is tonight recovering from hypothermia in hospital after his boat sank in the Shannon Estuary.
The 30-year-old issued a mayday distress signal this afternoon after his 16-foot vessel crashed onto the rocks north of Ballybunnion, Co Kerry.
A Valentia Coast Guard helicopter, Kilrush Lifeboat as well as Ballybunion Sea and Cliff Rescue Team rescued the man from the waters after 3.15pm and rushed him to Kerry General Hospital in Tralee.
He was being treated for hypothermia tonight.
The man, who is from Kilkee in Co Clare, was fishing for lobster off the coast of Ballybunion at the time.
A Valentia Coast Guard spokesman said: “His boat hit the rocks in the windy conditions and started taking water onboard.
“He was in the water when we came upon him.”
