Boys rescued in swing escapade

Two men were also rescued from rocks near the Seacliff Road in Bangor

Two young brothers have been rescued from a rope swing above a river in County Down.

The Fire Service said it initially received a call at 1900 BST on Sunday that a boy was in the water at Tipperary Lane in Newcastle.

However, when they arrived it appears the older boy used a rope swing to pull his younger brother out of the water.

Both boys were taken to hospital where one was treated for hypothermia.

Don McKay of the Northern Ireland Fire Service explained the situation they encountered at the river.

Fire officers used a throw line and life jackets to rescue the pair.

"One of them was actually in the river swimming or playing about and had got into a bit of difficulty," Mr McKay said.

"Then the other brother managed to get him and get him over to the rope swing which was near the bank.

"They both clung on to the rope swing and we were able to rescue them then."

Meanwhile, two men in their 20s were rescued from rocks near the Seacliff Road in Bangor on Sunday.

'Dangers'

The men had been fishing at the Mackerel Rocks when they were cut off by the tide.

Dawn Petrie from the Coastguard said people should be aware of the dangers.

"The area is quite popular for fishing but this is the second time in a few weeks that Bangor lifeboat has been called out to people who have been cut off on these rocks," she said.

"It is just to be aware that the tides do come in and people can be cut off if they're not prepared."