A young man has died onboard a fishing trawler off the Cork coast.

It is understood the man suffered injuries after a fall in what is being described as a ‘freak accident’.

It happened at around 2am some 2km off the Cork coast.

It is understood the man was not fishing at the time of the tragic incident.

A Coast Guard helicopter was scrambled to the area; however, it returned to base when the crew was informed that the man had died.

The fishing boat is due to return to port this evening.

An industry representative said the fishing community is in shock and is thinking of the man's family at this time.

The representative has also requested that the media not release any more details about the incident while the man's family come to terms with what happened.