A teenager has died after four friends got into the difficulty in the water off the coast of Northern Ireland.
Rescue services were called to Dunluce Castle, Co Antrim, on Tuesday evening. Coastguard teams, the RNLI, rescue helicopter, paramedics and police arrived at the scene shortly after 5pm.
The teenager was pulled from the water but despite medics' efforts he was declared dead at the scene.
Judith McNeice, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the swimmer’s friends made “valiant efforts to try and save him”.
“The young man (in his late teens) was pulled from the water to the beach by Portrush Lifeboat but unfortunately, after being treated, he was pronounced deceased,” she told the BBC.
“Although it was an absolutely beautiful day, the north coast is notorious for having a large swell even in the most benign of weather so there is a risk even on a lovely day like that to people going in and swimming or jumping off rocks.
“The others were trying to help their friend and they made valiant efforts to try and rescue him. One of them suffered some minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
“I’m sure it will be extremely upsetting for them but they can take some comfort in the fact that they did everything they could for their friend.”
Ms McNeice urged the public to be wary of the sea, warning of hidden dangers below the surface such as rocks and strong currents.
“We would just encourage people to just be extremely careful, especially at this particularly strange time we are all going through at the moment, and make sure they go to lifeguarded beaches if they want to swim, that they are properly equipped, and check the weather and tides before they go,” she added.
A PSNI spokesman said officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious,” he added.
