Major incident in Co. Down as boats overturn leaving “100 people in the water”

Details are still coming through but it is believed lifeboats are on the scene...

We'll do our very best to keep you posted on the situation in Killyleagh, Co. Down, but, according to the Twitter feed of a number of people including UTV journalist Aideen Kennedy, around 100 people are in the water after a number of boats overturned during a boat race at East Down Yacht Club. The police and at least two helicopters are believed to be at the scene already...

Yachts were taking part in GP14 world championship races from the East Down Yacht Club outside Killyleagh — Chris Hagan (@hagan_utv) August 11, 2014

Major rescue effort under way after stormy weather hits sailing event on Strangford Lough. It's understood up to 100 people cd be involved — BBC Newsline (@bbcnewsline) August 11, 2014

 

A hundred people are in the water at Killyleagh Yacht Club after several boats overturned. Two police helicopters at scene and the RNLI. — Aideen Kennedy (@Aideen_UTV) August 11, 2014

BREAKING NEWS - MAJOR INCIDENT IN KILLYLEAGH - A hundred people are in the water at East Down Yacht Club after several boats overturned. — Aideen Kennedy (@Aideen_UTV) August 11, 2014

 

Checking reports of Major incident at Killyleagh, two helicopters in air. Number of people reported in trouble in Strangford Lough — Chris Hagan (@hagan_utv) August 11, 2014

 

First reports suggesting between 90 and 100 people in the water in Strangford Lough. Two choppers in air. Major incident declared — Chris Hagan (@hagan_utv) August 11, 2014

More to follow... Main image via Getty Images.