Two young women who were missing at sea in county Galway overnight have been found alive.
The women, aged 17 and 23-years-old, failed to return to shore after heading out paddle boarding last night.
They set out from Furbough Beach at 8pm and the alarm was raised shortly after 10pm.
A major search operation was launched with the Galway RNLI and Irish Coast Guard joined by volunteers from the Aran Islands division and a number of local vessels.
In the past few minutes, Galway RNLI said they were found by a local fisherman.
They were found clinging to a lobster spot after spending 15 hours at sea.
Two Missing Paddle Boarders located and being transferred to the care of the HSE, search is now standing down, thank you to everyone that assisted in this SAR operation.
— Irish Coast Guard (@IrishCoastGuard) August 13, 2020
The Irish Coast Coast Guard and Staff at MRSC Valentia would like to thank Helicopter crews from Shannon, Sligo and Waterford, RNLI crews and Coast Guard units for efforts to successfully locate and recover two casualties in Galway Bay the operation ongoing since 10pm last nigh
— Irish Coast Guard (@IrishCoastGuard) August 13, 2020
The Irish Coast Guard said the paddle boarders are now being transferred to University Hospital Galway for assessments.
The organisation thanked everyone involved in the 15-hour overnight search.
'Unbelievable' rescue
Barry Heskin, from Galway RNLI, says the two rescued women are well following their night in the water.
He said: "We have fantastic news that they've been found safe and in good condition.
"[It was] on the far side of the Aran Islands, found by a local fisherman from Galway City named Patrick Oliver.
"Himself and his son went out there specifically this morning to help in the search, and unbelievably they have found the casualties."
