Northern Ireland

Man dies after fall while walking at popular beauty spot in Co Antrim

The Red Bay RNLI on the scene at Fair Head yesterday. Picture by RNLI
The Red Bay RNLI on the scene at Fair Head yesterday. Picture by RNLI The Red Bay RNLI on the scene at Fair Head yesterday. Picture by RNLI

A MAN has died after a fall while walking at a popular beauty spot in Co Antrim.

Police said his body was recovered from cliffs at Fair Head near Ballycastle today.

A major search operation was launched after the alarm was raised after 1pm with multiple emergency services scrambled to the area.

It is understood the man, believed to be aged in his 60s, had fallen on rocks at Boulder Field, which is a popular landmark with climbers.

Police, NI Air Ambulance, paramedics, a coastguard rescue helicopter from Prestwick along with cliff rescue teams from Ballycastle and Coleraine were all at the scene.

The PSNI closed the Fair Head car park to the public for use by emergency services.

The RNLI said its volunteer lifeboat crew with Red Bay RNLI launched both their all-weather and inshore lifeboats following the reports of the man injured.

Both lifeboats stood by on scene as the casualty was winched onboard the Coastguard helicopter before being transferred by Air Ambulance to hospital.

But later yesterday evening, police confirmed that the man had died.

A PSNI spokesman said: "Police can confirm that the body of a man was recovered from cliffs at Fair Head near Ballycastle on Thursday.

"The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious at this time."

Red Bay RNLI coxswain Paddy McLaughlin said: "This is a difficult location to access and both lifeboats stood by on scene to offer any assistance from the water if needed.

"Fair Head is a popular area for walkers and climbers at this time of year and we respond to a number of callouts in this area each year."

UUP councillor Joan Baird expressed her condolences to the family of the man who died.

"I was very sorry to hear of the tragic accident when a man has lost his life whilst climbing at Fair Head," she said.

"I want to send my deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

"I know our community here in Ballycastle will be shocked and saddened by this tragic event and I speak for everyone here sending our thoughts and prayers for his family.

"Fair Head is a beautiful place and attracts climbers and walkers from far and wide but it can prove treacherous as it has today.

It comes just two days after the death of a teenager in the sea close to Dunluce Castle near Bushmills.

The 19-year-old, who is believed to be from Belfast, got into difficulty on Tuesday evening.

It is understood he was with three other friends who were ‘coasteering’, which involves swimming off rocky coastlines as well as jumping into the sea from rocks.

Reports suggest the teenager is believed to have hit his head while jumping off rocks below Dunluce Castle. The young man was recovered unconscious from the sea and taken to White Rocks beach where he was pronounced dead.