A SWIMMER WHO got into difficulty while swimming in Lough Ree has died.

The 46-year-old woman had been swimming in the popular lough in Athlone when she started got into trouble.

She received treatment from the nearby Athlone sub-aqua club before being transferred to Galway University Hospital. She died in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A statement from the sub-aqua club read: “Just after 7pm Athlone Sub-Aqua Club were asked to assist the RNLI Lough Ree lifeboat in the search for a person who got into difficulty while swimming close to the Number 1 area.

“After a quick underwater search by sub-aqua club divers, a person was recovered to the awaiting Lough Ree lifeboat crew. Life saving measures were given to the patient and was transferred to the Athlone Sub-Aqua clubhouse where National Ambulance service personnel gave advanced life support. The coastguard helicopter Rescue 118 landed beside the clubhouse and transferred the patient onward to UCH Galway for further treatment

“It’s with great sadness that we have learnt that the lady from Wednesday’s call out passed away earlier today.

“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends. May she Rest in Peace.”

A post-mortem examination will now take place.