A cyclist has been airlifted to hospital after he sustained serious head injuries during an event in Co Clare.
The 49-year-old man had been taking part in the An Post Tour de Burren cycle race when the accident happened at around 10.45am.
Paramedics at the scene requested that the man be flown to the nearest specialist head trauma unit as soon as possible.
The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, which had been training in Galway Bay at the time, was diverted to the scene.
The Doolin unit of the coast guard assisted paramedics at the scene and prepared a safe landing site for the helicopter.
The man was airlifted to Cork Airport from where he was transferred by road to Cork University Hospital.
