'Major incident' at Strangford Lough
by Mark Jardine 11 Aug 2014 08:51 PDT
9-15 August 2014
GP14s on Strangford Lough © @GP14World
A 'major incident' has been declared at a boating event hit by a sudden squall. We understand this to be the GP14 World Championships on Strangford Lough in County Down.
The latest update is that at ten people have been injured, most showing signs of hypothermia. 6 people are being treated for their injuries at the Ulster Hospital, including 1 with head injuries.
Everyone has now been rescued. A major incident was declared at a nearby hospital but has since been stood down.
The BBC has a page which is updating with the latest news at www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28745787
The day 1 report from the event is now online here.
Update from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency:
The Coastguard is this afternoon coordinating a rescue response after approximately 80 sailing dinghies were hit by stormy weather in Strangford Lough.
Belfast Coastguard was first contacted just before 2pm reporting that some of the boats had capsized, while others were struggling to cope in the strong winds and squally showers.
The Bangor and Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Teams, the Portaferry and Newcastle RNLI lifeboats, the Irish Coast Guard helicopter along with the helicopter from RAF Valley have been sent to the scene.
Latest information suggests that 10 people have been injured, most showing signs of hypothermia. Ambulance crews are treating them on scene.
It's believed that all those in the water have been accounted for. However rescue units on scene, including the helicopters and lifeboats, are carrying out further searches to make sure.
The GP14 World Championship website is at www.gp14world.com with both a Twitter feed and Facebook group.