A mum died while trying to rescue her son who got into difficulty swimming at Ballycroneen Beach in Cork, The Irish Mirror understands.
The tragic victim, who was in her 30s and believed to be a foreign national, was airlifted by the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 to Cork University Hospital in a critical condition but has since passed away.
It is understood that her son was rescued from the rocks and is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
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A number of crews from the Ballycotton RNLI, Crosshaven RNLI, and Coast Guard raced to the scene shortly after 12pm on Sunday.
It is understood an RNLI lifeboat managed to pull the woman from the water before she was brought to Ballycotton Pier and airlifted to the hospital.
A source told The Irish Mirror: “The exact details remain unclear but the woman was attempting to save her son after he got into difficulty.
“The boy ended up getting to the rocks and was safely rescued but then the woman got into difficulty herself.”
Local councillor Michael Hegarty said: “My deepest sympathies goes to all those involved including the woman’s family and friends. It’s terrible.”
A Garda spokeswoman said: “Gardaí attended the scene of a sea rescue operation that occurred at Ballycroneen Beach, Cloyne, Co. Cork shortly before 1p.m. on Sunday 25th June, 2023.
"One female, aged in her 30s was airlifted by Coast Guard Helicopter to Cork University Hospital and was in critical condition.
“This lady has since passed away, this evening. A young boy was also rescued from the rocks by Coast Guard Helicopter with non-life threatening injuries.”
