22-year-old J1 student in a critical condition in a Maryland hospital

The department of Foreign Affairs have been made aware of an incident involving the hospitalisation of an Irish student in the United States this week.

According to emerging reports, the 22-year-old man, who travelled to the States on a J1 visa this summer, got into difficulty while swimming with three other people in the popular holiday resort of Ocean City in Maryland.

It has been established that a recent storm effected the sea's condition.

It is understood that one of the four people involved managed to make it to shore and raise the alarm at approximately 06.30 before two rescue swimmers helped two of the party out of the water.

Tragically, the fourth member of the party suffered a cardiac arrest during the final rescue attempt and was immediately transferred to Atlantic General Hospital.

It is understood that he is currently in a very serious condition in hospital.