A woman has died after getting into difficulty while trying to rescue her young son from the water in County Cork.

It happened at Ballycroneen Beach in Cloyne shortly before 1pm yesterday.

The 34-year-old woman entered the water to help her son but got into difficulty herself.

The alarm was raised and the Rescue 117 helicopter responded alongside Coat Guard crews from Guileen, Crosshaven and Ballycotton.

She was airlifted by the Coast Guard Helicopter to Cork University Hospital; however, she later died in hospital.

The young boy was rescued after he managed to make his way to some rocks near the shore.

He is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.