A woman who is believed to have suffered a heart attack while trying to save her seven-year-old nephew after he had been washed out to sea in west Cork yesterday, died after being brought ashore.
It is understood that the woman, in her late 50s and home on holiday from Canada, was standing in waist-high water near the Barleycove Hotel when a freak wave washed her and the boy and his father out to sea. Weather conditions were described as fine and calm at 5 p.m. when the three lost their footing in a freak swell and were washed out by the undercurrent.
It is understood the woman tried to swim towards the boy but got into difficulties. A number of building workers went to her assistance and a lifeguard brought the boy to the safety of nearby rocks. His father also made it to the rocks.
The woman was brought ashore but appeared to suffer a heart attack on the beach. Her body was later taken to the Cork University Hospital, where a post-mortem will be carried out today. It is believed the man and his son are from Cork city.
Prior to the start of the holiday season Cork County Council carried out extensive improvements at Barleycove beach in an effort to preserve the sand dunes as well as improving access and safety. Over the years there have been several drownings in the locality. The area is notorious for heavy undercurrents, and three years ago a Limerick student lost his life at the same spot when he was swept out to sea.