Man dies and two others rescued after fishing boat sinks off Lancashire coast

A man believed to be in his 30s has died and two others were rescued after a fishing boat sank off the Lancashire coast.

Emergency services raced to reports of a small vessel - believed to be a decommissioned fishing boat - in difficulty about a mile offshore at Fleetwood.

The coastguard launched two RNLI lifeboats, the all-weather Shannon class and an in-shore D class, shortly before 8am this morning.

The victim, from Blackburn, was later recovered from the water by an RNLI crew.

A 71-year-old man from Accrington and a 70-year-old man from the Blackburn area were taken to hospital as a precaution after they suffered from shock and the effects of the cold water.

The RNLI said local support vessel the Eden Rose had salvaged the pair by the time they arrived as the fishing boat was "submerged".

A coastguard helicopter joined in the search for the third man before a body was recovered.

In a statement, Lancashire Police said: “While he has not been formally identified, the deceased is believed to be a man in his thirties from Blackburn.

“His next of kin are being informed and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and the matter will be referred to HM Coroner.”

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