Two men missing as jeep plunges into Louisburgh river

A GARDA sub-aqua team has joined the search for two young men feared drowned near Louisburgh in west Mayo earlier today (Christmas Day).

A third male escaped from the vehicle as their SUV vehicle became submerged in the Carrowniskey River which is flooded due to recent rains.

The third occupant raised the alarm and a major rescue operation was mounted involving gardai, fire service personnel, the Irish Coastguard and civilian personnel.

The area where the tragedy took place has been sealed off pending an investigation by a forensic collision team.

The two missing men are understood to be in their late 20s.

The man who survived is in his late teens.

The alarm was raised around 3 a.m. when the vehicle entered the water.

All three occupants of the SUV are from the Louisburgh area.

Garda Supt Joe Doherty, who visited the scene in the early hours, thanked the local community for their assistance as the tragedy unfolded.