ONE MAN REMAINS in serious but stable condition in hospital after a boat capsized off Donegal resulting in the deaths of two men.

Gardaí in Co Donegal were notified of an incident in the water off Malin Head at approximately 4.15pm. A small boat capsized close to the shore. The alarm was raised when people on land heard the men’s shouts for help.

It is understood they spent around four hours in the water before they were found.

A man in his 60s, who is understood to be from Donegal, was taken from the water and pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital where a post-mortem will take place.

A second man, who is believed to be in his 50s, and a teenage boy were also taken from the water and rushed to Altnagelvin Hospital in Co Derry. Both of them are believed to be from Derry.

The teenage boy was pronounced dead in hospital a short time later. The man in his 50s remains in hospital.

It is still not known what caused the boat to capsize.

An investigation into the incident will take place.

Joe Joyce of the Lough Swilly RNLI told Morning Ireland that conditions were good on the day and that it is not known what caused the boat to be swamped with water.

He said: “They were in the water for a considerable amount of time before the alarm was raised. What happened was that some visitors to the area who were staying in holiday homes heard what people shouting for help. Those people then contacted the Coast Guard.

“All assets available were then deployed. We also issued a mayday call asking boats at sea to come their assistance.

“The fishing community around Malin Head are well used to tragedies. A number of people have been lost there. The seas around Malin Head are some of the most treacherous in the world.”