SEARCH ONGOING FOR CHILD OVERBOARD FERRY

Belfast Coastguard is continuing to coordinate a search for a missing child who is believed to have fallen from a ferry in bound to Belfast from Scotland.

Last night the Coastguard received a call from a ferry reporting that two people were in the water in Belfast Lough. One person was recovered by the pilot boat at 6.25 pm, 15 minutes after the alarm was raised and was taken to hospital.

Last nights search involved RNLI lifeboats from Bangor and Donaghadee, an Irish Rescue helicopter, police helicopter, fast rescue craft from two ferries, tugs and a pilot boat. Coastguard rescue teams from Bangor and Portmuck also searched the shoreline of Belfast Lough. This search of Victoria Channel and Belfast Lough was suspended at 10pm last night and resumed at first light this morning with RNLI lifeboats from Bangor and Donaghadee, three Police Rhibs, the fishery protection vessel Banrion Uladh and harbour patrol boats. Coastguard rescue teams from Port Muck and Bangor will also resume their shoreline search at 8am.

Steve Carson, Belfast Coastguard watch Manager says:
There was an extensive search last night that sadly did not find the missing child so we are looking again for them this morning.

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