Investigations have been launched following the death of a pensioner involved in a boating accident in Wexford. 

He was among a group of 10 people who were in a vessel that failed to return to shore last night. The nine others were rescued by lifeboat volunteers.

The rescue operation began shortly after 11 o'clock last night when the volunteer lifeboat crew at Kilmore Quay were contacted by a member of the public.

They claimed a boat carrying 10 people had been due back in port that evening, but failed to appear.

Fears grew when the sun set and there was still no sign.

The lifeboat was immediately launched and a local passenger ferry also joined the search along with Fethard RNLI.

Half a mile south of the Great Saltee Islands an upturned hull was spotted. 10 people, including one woman and a teenage boy, were all in the water.

It is understood they were in the water off the Saltee Islands for several hours before being rescued.

Everyone was wearing lifejackets but it is thought they had been in the water for four to five hours.

One man in his 70s was transferred by helicopter to University Hospital Waterford where he was pronounced dead.

The other nine people were transferred to Wexford General Hospital where they remain.