Update:
Sunday – 11.30am
It’s now understood the man was 71-years-old with an address in Limerick.
He has been named locally as David Weldrick who previously owned a holiday home in Kilkee but was still a regular visitor to the area. Mr Weldrick was also a lecture at the University of Limerick.
In a message on Twitter, UL said: “Very sad news. Condolences to all of Dave’s family, friends and former colleagues. He leaves behind a legacy of coaching excellence at UL. RIP.”
Earlier: A man has died after he was airlifted to hospital following a swimming incident in Co Clare this morning.
The man, believed to be in his 70s, was swimming in Kilkee bay when he was reported to be in difficulty shortly after 10.00am.
Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry were alerted soon afterwards and mounted a multi-agency search and rescue operation.
The local unit of the Irish Coast Guard responded to the incident along with Clare County Fire and Rescue Service personnel from Kilkee station, Gardaí and National Ambulance Service (NAS) paramedics. Local lifeguards also went to the scene it’s understood.
The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115, was also tasked to the incident
The man was taken from the water on the western side of Kilkee Bay in an area know as Newfoundout. It’s understood he was brought ashore by passers-by and Coast Guard volunteers who carried out CPR.
The man was later airlifted from the scene to University Hospital Limerick where he was later pronounced dead.
A Garda spokesman confirmed: “The man was reported to have gotten into difficulty while swimming in Kilkee. He was taken from the water and airlifted to hospital were he later died. As the man passed away in Limerick, Gardaí at Roxboro Road station in Limerick will deal with the incident.”
Gardaí will investigate the tragedy and prepare a report for the local coroner who will hold an inquest at a later date.
Emergency services personnel involved in the incident attended a debriefing meeting at Kilkee Coast Guard station afterwards. The Coast Guard has also expressed gratitude to the members of the public and local lifeguards who assisted at the incident.
