Overview
- Emergency services were alerted shortly after 1pm on Saturday, 24 January, to people in difficulty at the County Down beach.
- Three people were removed from the water by a multi-agency team including HM Coastguard helicopter Rescue 936, Bangor and Portaferry coastguard teams, Bangor RNLI, PSNI and NIAS specialists.
- Following treatment at the scene, two patients were taken to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald and one to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
- The coastguard said onlookers attempted rescues before crews arrived, including one person who entered the water.
- Local representatives offered condolences and praised rescuers, and authorities urged anyone who witnessed the incident or was affected to contact them.