Man in his 90s dies after boat sinks in Antrim

Tragic news.

A man has died following the sinking of a boat off the coast of Antrim on Saturday (27 August). Jim Allen, a man from Belfast in his 90s, died after the boat he was on sank off the coast of Carrickfergus. Allen and another man (aged in his 70s) were aboard the vessel when the boat took off from a yacht club between 1.30pm and 2pm. A mayday call was issued at around 3pm to say the boat was taking on water. "Ultimately, both men entered the water when the boat capsized around one-and-a-half miles from Carrickfergus near Greenisland," said Detective Inspective Stephanie Finlay from PSNI. "Sadly, and despite the best efforts of emergency crews, the man in his 90s died. We believe, at this stage, that this was a tragic drowning incident. The man in his 70s was treated by ambulance crews at the scene. "Our enquiries into what caused this boat to sink are at an early stage and the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is assisting. We would also appreciate the public's assistance. If you noticed the boat, described as white and measuring 18 feet, leaving the yacht club in east Belfast or saw the boat while out in the lough to please contact us on 101." Witnesses can also submit a report online via the PSNI website, or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously via their website or by calling 0800 555 111.