Search for missing trawler crew

Lifeboats were launched in the search for the crew members

A major search is under way for the missing crew of a trawler believed to have sunk near an NI fishing port.

The Coastguard said lifeboats were searching for two survivors in Ardglass Harbour, County Down.

Richard Newell, Rescue Centre Manager at Belfast, said a third person had been found, and was being treated for hypothermia in hospital.

"The Portaferry lifeboat located a liferaft with one person aboard from the missing fishing vessel," he said.

"He is said to be suffering from hypothermia and has now been taken to Downpatrick Hospital in County Down.

"The casualty informed the lifeboat crew that there were a further two fishermen aboard the vessel.

"The search continues and we remain hopeful."

Coastguard rescue teams from Newcastle, White Rock and Portaferry were sent to conduct a close inshore search and RNLI lifeboats from Portaferry and Newcastle were requested to launch.

The PSNI helicopter is helping search the waters off Ardglass, along with a team of uniformed officers working along the shoreline, said police.

The Irish Rescue helicopter from Dublin has also been scrambled.