Mayo fisherman dies after boat sinks off Erris coast

TRAGEDY The deceased man was fishing in the Aisling Patrick boat, when it began to sink 16 nautical miles northwest of Eagle Island (pictured), just off the Erris coast.

Two others taken to hospital after rescue this afternoon

Michael Duffy

A fisherman has died this afternoon after the boat he was working on sank off the Erris coastline.
The dead man, who is from the north Mayo area, is believed to be in his 50s. Two other men, both in their 20s, have been taking to Sligo General Hospital. The deceased was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after 4pm.
The boat the men had been working on, the Aisling Patrick, had been fishing in seas 16 nautical miles northwest of Eagle Island, off the Erris coastline.
It is believed the boat began to sink rapidly and the occupants could only make a broken mayday call, with partial co-ordinates, to the Coast Guard, before they had to leave the vessel around 12.30pm.
The men let off flares from their life raft and were eventually located by the Sligo-based Rescue 118 helicopter at 1.20pm. The helicopter was assisted by the Ballyglass-based RNLI crew.
The Gardaí have stated they will not be releasing the name of the deceased until all relatives have been informed.