Lifeboat rescue for overboard trawlerman in Irish Sea
A man who fell overboard from a trawler in the Irish Sea is lucky to be alive, volunteer lifeboat rescuers from Cumbria have said.
The crew member of the Belgian vessel spent about 30 minutes in the water before he was rescued on Friday.
Barrow's RNLI lifeboat was joined by one from Fleetwood, Lancashire, and two commercial vessels for the rescue, about 16 miles (25.7 km) from Barrow.
The semi-conscious man was taken to hospital by an RAF rescue helicopter.
John Falvey, from Barrow lifeboat, said: "The fisherman was very lucky to have been found and recovered, but after 30 minutes in the water he must have been very cold.
"Thankfully the RAF helicopter was near the scene and got him to Furness General Hospital for treatment a lot quicker than we could have done."