SIX PEOPLE WERE rescued from the water at a south Wexford beach on Sunday evening.

As a packed beach enjoyed the summer sunshine, a man was airlifted from the beach and five other people were rushed to hospital from Rosslare Strand beach.

It is understood that a number of beach goers had attempted to come to the rescue of a younger swimmer who was in difficulty in the water before ending in difficulty themselves.

There was a rapid emergency response with the Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter, Rosslare and Curracloe coast guard units, Rosslare Harbour Lifeboat, gardaí and the National Ambulance Service (NAS) all in attendance.

One person was airlifted from Rosslare Strand to Wexford Wanderers Rugby Club in the town before being rushed the short distance to Wexford General Hospital by ambulance.

Five other people were brought to hospital by ambulance, with a garda escort ensuring they arrived as quickly as possible.

Wexford gardaí also temporarily blocked the busy junction outside Wexford General Hospital to ensure the ambulance could pass unimpeded.

All the casualties are currently believed to be in a stable condition.

“NAS responded to a significant incident at Rosslare this afternoon,” Ger Carthy from the National Ambulance Service confirmed.

“They transferred five people by land ambulance and our colleagues from R117 airlifted one person to a waiting NAS vehicle at Wexford Wanderers Rugby Club for transfer to Wexford General Hospital,” Carthy said.

“This multiple agency response again reassured the public of the capability of our emergency services in a time of grave need.”

Carthy also praised the fast actions of An Garda Síochána, the Coast Guard and the public during the course of the emergency incident.