Three people have been taken to hospital after a fishing boat capsized and sank on Carlingford Lough in County Down.

The boat overturned near the village of Rostrevor on Wednesday morning prompting a major air and sea operation.

Two crewmen were rescued by a neighbouring boat.

One of the men is said to be critically ill, whilst the other is ill but stable in hospital.

A third man who was missing was later found by police divers. His condition is not yet known.

All three people are being treated at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.

The Belfast coastguard was alerted to the boat's plight by a mayday at about 1145 GMT on Wednesday.

Coastguard rescue teams from Kilkeel and Newcastle, a naval patrol vessel and an RAF helicopter took part in the search.

The Coastguard said the fishing vessel, Charisma, capsized 90 metres off shore in the shallow waters of Carlingford Lough.

Emergency

Anthony Williamson, an independent councillor in the area, was on the scene immediately.

"The boat sank very quickly. There were three members on board. Two were rescued by a neighbouring boat."

He said one of the people rescued had to be resuscitated at the scene by the emergency services.

The coastguard said the fishing vessel was registered in Oban but based in Kilkeel.