A 27-year-old man has died and a second man remains in a critical condition after being overcome by fumes on a fishing boat.

The Galway native died at Letterkenny General Hospital this morning.

His 46-year-old colleague, originally from Albania, remains in a coma.

Both men were rushed to hospital just after 1.30pm yesterday after the incident on the Galway-registered trawler Olieann an Or.

The Health and Safety Authority are investigating the incident.

Gardai have also launched an investigation on behalf of the coroner.

Local councillor Niamh Kennedy said the men had been cleaning out holding tanks when the incident happened.

One man collapsed and the other collapsed shortly afterwards after going to help him.

A major incident response was put in place by health staff.

Online Editors