Reality TV ship hits the rocks

Contestants are spending eight weeks at sea

Contestants on board a ship involved in an Irish reality TV show had to be rescued when it ran aground on rocks.

Seven people were helped to safety after the vessel featured on the show Cabin Fever found itself in trouble near Tory Island, Co Donegal.

All the passengers were said to be safe and well, and four others remained aboard.

The ship is carrying 10 contestants around the Irish coast for eight weeks as they compete for a cash prize.

The programme, produced by Coco Productions for the RTE network, has been billed as Ireland's biggest TV event of the summer.

Crew members sent out a distress call at about 1330 on Friday.

The Arranmore lifeboat was attempting to pull the ship off the rocks but it was feared that the vessel was badly damaged.

A portable pump was dropped on to the ship from an Aer Corps rescue helicopter.

It was hoped that a high tide could help the captain to refloat the boat.