Swimmer in critical condition

A 57-year-old woman is in critical condition after finding herself in difficulty while swimming in St Paul's Bay, yesterday morning.

The accident occurred just before noon, when Antoinette McIntyre, who lives in St Paul's Bay, was swimming with her friend at Tal-Għażżenin. All of a sudden, the friend noticed her lying in the water face down. She alerted other swimmers who jumped in and carried her ashore.

Ms McIntyre received first aid by a doctor who happened to be on site until members of the Civil Protection Department arrived and continued to tend to her. An ambulance rushed the woman to Mater Dei Hospital.

Sources said the woman had no external injuries but was frothing at the mouth when rescued.

The police are investigating.