Co Down coastguard in 'dramatic rescue' with two people saved from fishing boat

A Co Down coastguard team were involved in a "dramatic rescue" after a fishing boat ran aground on rocks.

The Newcastle Coastguard team were tasked to Ardglass Harbour just after midnight on September 14, after a fishing boat got caught on rocks close to the village's marina.

In a statement, they said Portaferry lifeboat was tasked to the scene but conditions didn't allow for a rescue, so a Coastguard helicopter was sent from Wales.

Read more: NI lifeboat crew save three people after being called out twice in one day

Read more: RNLI rescues sailors after yacht catches fire on Strangford Lough

The helicopter winched two crew members from the vessel, which was from the Isle of Man but fishing out of Ardglass, while Portaferry lifeboat stood by ready to offer assistance.

Newcastle Coastguard set up a landing site for the helicopter to bring the uninjured crew members into their care.

A spokesperson for Newcastle Coastguard added: "The Coastguard team would like to thank the local landowner who allowed the landing site to be set up on his land. The call out was the Newcastle team's sixth in as many days."

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.