One crew member has been found after an Irish Coast Guard helicopter with four people on board went missing off the west of Ireland.
A search was continuing for the other three crew from the Dublin-based aircraft, which was providing cover for another helicopter involved in an early morning rescue operation.
Contact was lost with the crew at around 1am. An intense sea search was launched off the Co Mayo coast – around six miles west of Blacksod.
One casualty was located and plucked from the water at around 7am, according to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The crew member, whose condition was described as critical, was taken to hospital.
A Coast Guard spokesman said the missing helicopter had been providing cover in the evacuation of a crewman who needed urgent medical attention, from a UK-registered fishing vessel approximately 150 miles west of Eagle Island in Co Mayo.
“Owing to the distance involved, safety and communication support, known as Top Cover, was provided by the second Coast Guard helicopter, the Dublin based R116,” he said.
“The search operation is being coordinated by the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre in Malin Head.
“Both helicopters refuelled at Blacksod prior to transiting to the scene.”
SOURCE The Telegraph
