A 20-year-old man is being treated in hospital for hypothermia after being rescued from Carlingford Lough in the early hours of this morning.
Belfast Coastguard was called to the scene after police in Newry received reports of a man attempting to swim across the Newry River, Carlingford Lough, at about 2.40am.
The man, who was in the water for about an hour, was located in the river by Kilkeel RNLI Inshore Lifeboat and taken to a waiting ambulance at Warren Point. He was taken to Newry¿s Daisy Hill Hospital for further treatment.
He entered the water after the was unable to get a taxi home, intending to swim across Carlingford Lough. However, he was unable to make it to the shore and was instead carried up the river for about four miles before the lifeboat found him.
¿He was in the water for a considerable period and we got to him just in time. When we approached him, he was beginning to slip under the surface,¿ said Kilkeel lifeboat crew member Alan McVeigh.
Rescuers searched the water for a second person believed to be in the river, but it was later confirmed that the person had already returned home.
"This was a major search effort, which combined all four emergency services, which lead to a successful outcome," said Ian Murdock, watch manager, Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
"I strongly advise against anyone attempting to swim while under the influence of alcohol. Stay safe don¿t drink and drown.¿