Woman dies after getting into difficulty while swimming off Antrim coast

A woman has died after a group of swimmers got into difficulty in the sea off the Antrim coast this morning.

The woman died in the incident off a beach at Ballycastle just after 8.30am.

Another woman is in a stable condition in Coleraine Hospital after being treated for the effects of hypothermia.

Police, fire and rescue service, ambulance crews and the air ambulance were all involved in the emergency response.

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Spokesperson said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of a woman who tragically died this morning (9 December 2019) following an incident at Ballycastle beach in the Cushendall Road area.

“We received the call at 8.41am. Two Fire Appliances from Ballycastle Fire Station, along with other emergency services, attended the scene to assist with the safety of two female swimmers.

“Both swimmers were out of the water on arrival of Fire Crews. Firefighters assisted paramedics with CPR.

“The second female was taken to hospital by Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

“The incident was dealt with at 9.39am”.