A MAN is in a critical condition in hospital after getting into difficulties whilst diving off Gourock.

The 55-year-old had been diving with three others when he got into trouble close to the shore near Royal Gourock Yacht Club just before 6pm.

His fellow divers managed to bring him ashore before alerting the emergency services.

An air ambulance landed at Ashton Prom while a rescue helicopter was also scrambled to the area.

The coastguard, two ambulances, police and a lifeboat also rushed to the scene, with the road closed for a time.

The man was taken to Inverclyde Royal in an ambulance where he remains in a critical condition.

Two other divers are also in hospital suffering from shock.

This morning, PC Kyle MacDougall of Greenock police, said: “The man is in a critical condition at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and two other divers are still in hospital suffering from shock.” Lawrence Cumming, watch manager at the Belfast Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, said the man had already been rescued from the water when their teams arrived.

He said: “A diver got into difficulties not far from the shore.

“His colleagues helped to take him ashore and they phoned an ambulance.

“We launched the Helensburgh lifeboat and the Greenock and Largs coastguard teams attended the scene.

“We also diverted the rescue helicopter from Prestwick in case anyone else was still in the water.

“When we arrived the man was already being treated at the scene.”