Eyewitnesses describe desperate rescue attempts at Helen's Bay

Eyewitnesses have spoken of desperate attempts to save a woman who died after getting into difficulty in the water at Helen's Bay beach at the weekend.

Three people were taken to hospital following the incident at the County Down beach on Saturday afternoon, where a woman in her 60s later died.

An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said she was out walking her dog when she was told that swimmers were in trouble, and she rang the emergency services.

"People tried everything they could to save the lady," the eyewitness said, adding: "All the rescue teams were there, and passers-by did everything they could to help."

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said they received an emergency call at about 13:00 GMT and a woman was taken to hospital where she later died.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious, the police have said.

Two emergency crews, a rapid response paramedic, a Hart (Hazardous Area Response Team) crew, critical care paramedic and an ambulance officer were sent to the scene.

A Coastguard helicopter, Bangor and Portaferry Coastguard rescue teams, and Bangor RNLI inshore lifeboat also attended, as did the police.

"We're all thinking of her family," the eyewitness told BBC News NI.

"It could have been any one of us; it's such a shock.

"Two men jumped in to help, but they couldn't reach her.

"They got out safely - I then saw the helicopter, ambulance, and coastguard.

"The RNLI [Royal National Lifeboat Institution] were brilliant. They were out as well. It's so sad.

"It was a really strong easterly wind, and it was dragging people down towards those rocks."

Another woman who witnessed the rescue attempts said there were two female swimmers, and they were pushed by the sea towards the Grey Point end of the beach, where there are rocks and a sea wall.

She too praised the emergency services and members of the public who tried to help.

Speaking at Stormont on Monday, Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan said her thoughts are with the woman's family and also praised the emergency services and members of the public.

"Absolutely devastating that a life has been lost off our coast in Helen's Bay over the weekend," Egan said.

"My thoughts are first and foremost with this woman's family and loved ones – it's absolutely devastating for them."

Egan said emergency services were fantastic in how they responded to the incident and also highlighted the heroic efforts of members of the public.

"Passers-by who also tried to help and assist were incredibly brave, and our thanks need to go to them."

The North Down MLA urged anyone partaking in sea swimming to be mindful of their own personal safety and the safety of those around them when entering the water.