Search resumes for missing Down fishermen

The search is resuming this morning for two young fishermen missing off the coast of Co Down since Thursday.

The search is resuming this morning for two young fishermen missing off the coast of Co Down since Thursday.

The air, sea and shore search was begun around Ardglass harbour, Co Down, after the coastguard at Falmouth picked up an SOS from the fishing vessel Greenhillthat which was relayed to colleagues in Belfast at around 8.15pm on Thursday.

A man was rescued by a lifeboat crew and taken to Downpatrick Hospital where he received treatment for hypothermia.

Debris and fishing boxes were retrieved from the scene during yesterday's search. A vessel using sonar equipment identified the likely position of the trawler deep in water near the harbour.

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Police divers were prevented from investigating because of bad weather and gale force winds.

A rescue helicopter conducted an air search earlier yesterday. It's not clear if the helicopter will participate in today's search.

The search and rescue efforts have now been replaced by a recovery operation, and an exclusion zone has been placed around the site. Boats and amateur divers have been asked to stay away from the area.

The PSNI confirmed it would continue to carry out coastal searches in the area surrounding Ardglass for the remainder of the day.

A police spokesman said: "We will be using resources including the police helicopter.

"Officers are currently working to provide a diving team to attend the scene this afternoon.

"Police are working closely with the families involved and thank the community for their continued co-operation with the co-ordination of search activities."