Newcastle: Man dies after swimming difficulties

Image source, Kilkeel Coastguard

Image caption, The coastguard and air ambulance were among the emergency services to attend the scene

A man has died after getting into difficulty while swimming in the sea in County Down.

Police, the RNLI and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service were called to the South Promenade area of Newcastle shortly before 10:00 BST on Wednesday.

The man was recovered from the water and treated by paramedics but was declared dead at the scene.

Police said his death is not being treated as suspicious.

The RNLI added the man had been swimming close to the lifeboat station.

"The inshore lifeboat launched shortly before 10am and the casualty was quickly taken ashore, and casualty care was administered by the lifeboat crew until the arrival of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service," a spokeswoman said.

Two ambulance crews were sent to the scene, while the air ambulance was also deployed.

Members of the Newcastle Sea Swimmers group expressed their sadness at the news on social media, adding that it was a "tragic loss" and their thoughts were with the man's family.