A woman crew member from the Irish Coast Guard helicopter missing off the west of Ireland, who was pulled from the Atlantic, has died as a search continues for three others on board.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was 45 and had been with the search and rescue service for more than 20 years.

A search is continuing for the other three crew from the Dublin-based aircraft, which was providing cover for another helicopter involved in an early morning rescue operation. But hopes are fading for their survival.

Contact was lost with the crew at around 1am. An intense sea search was launched off the Co Mayo coast - around six miles west of Blacksod.

Capt Fitzpatrick was located and plucked from the water at around 7am and taken to hospital, but later died.