Carrickfergus: Jim Allen, 94, dies after boat sinks in 'tragic incident'

Jim Allen died after a boat sank off the coast of Carrickfergus on Saturday

A 94-year-old man has died after a boat sank off the coast of Carrickfergus, County Antrim, on Saturday.

Jim Allen, from Belfast, and another man in his 70s were on the sailing boat which launched from a yacht club off the Sydenham Road in Belfast.

A rescue operation began after the coastguard received a mayday call that the boat was sinking at about 15:00 BST.

Police said Mr Allen's death was being treated as a tragic drowning incident.

Both men entered the water after the boat capsized about one-and-a-half miles from Carrickfergus, near Greenisland.

Two coastguard teams, the RNLI and Lagan Search and Rescue, were involved in the operation.

Despite the efforts of emergency crews, Mr Allen died.

The man in his 70s was treated by ambulance crews at the shore at Carrickfergus.

The two men were members of the East Belfast Yacht Club, which is based off the Sydenham Road.

The club said on Facebook that Mr Allen was a "long time member who will be sadly missed".

Treasurer at the yacht club, Brian Larmour, says Mr Allen "won't be forgotten" by members

Club treasurer, Brian Larmour, said Mr Allen would be remembered as a "good guy to have around the place".

He said Mr Allen had been a member for more than 30 years and was well respected having served both as vice commodore of the club and on the committee.

"He certainly won't be forgotten and he will be talked about for many years but he will be missed, a lot of people will miss him about the place," he said.

"If you needed a hand with something, he was always willing to give you a hand."

Police are investigating the circumstances which caused the boat to sink with the assistance of the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

They are appealing for anyone who noticed a white boat leaving the yacht club in east Belfast to come forward.