The 118 Irish coastguard rescue helicopter was involved in searches off the north Antrim coast on Saturday

COASTGUARDS are to resume their search on Sunday for a man missing after falling into the sea on the north Antrim coast.

The 38-year-old Polish man was fishing on rocks at Ramore Head in Portrush around 4.30 pm on Saturday afternoon when he fell into the icy waters.

The search involving Portrush lifeboats, Coleraine and Ballycastle coastguard teams, a police helicopter and an Irish coastguard helicopter was called off at 8 pm on Saturday night due to fading light.

Other local vessels also joined in search.

Coleraine coastguard station officer Chris Little said: “A very intensive search was carried out all over the area adjacent to Ramore Head and expanded out eastwards and westwards as the search progressed.

“However, as yet no trace has been found of the missing man.”

Robert Cardwell, Portrush Lifeboat operations manager, said: “Various items of clothing etc have been found in the water, but at the minute no person has been found.

“There was a big, heavy, swell today and he was angling, as far as we know, and he’s probably got washed off by a wave.”

It was the second search on Saturday on the north Antrim coastline.

A 45-year-old man is said to be in a critical condition in the Causeway Hospital after being rescued from the water at Portstewart.

The Irish coastguard helicopter winched the man to safety after he was reported in the water shortly after 6 pm.