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Rescue operation for two divers Divers rescued off Antrim coast
(about 2 hours later)
A major rescue operation for two divers is taking place off the County Antrim coast. They were reported missing on a dive to the west of Rathlin Island. Two divers have been rescued by helicopter off the County Antrim coast. They were reported missing on a dive to the west of Rathlin Island.
The Portrush lifeboat began a search of the area after a boatman lost contact with the divers on Sunday afternoon. They had been diving in an area of shipwrecks when their boat lost contact with them on Sunday afternoon.
However, it is understood they have managed to reach the base of cliffs below a lighthouse. They managed to reach the base of a cliff and were picked by the Sligo-based rescue helicopter.
The search for the divers had been concentrated in the region of several shipwrecks to the west of the island. Portrush lifeboat began the search and HMS Exploit, which had been patrolling of Scotland, was also involved.
The wrecks are popular diving sites. Local boats were also alerted and did what they could to aid the rescue.
Coastguard Hugh Fearon said it was a "big alert" as the divers were an hour overdue.
"They should have been reported a bit earlier once they hadn't come up from their dive," he said.
"They're lucky to be found and picked up. If it had have been dark, it could have been a different story."