A KAYAKER WHO fell from his kayak in the Nenagh river was rescued by the volunteer lifeboat crew with the Lough Derg RNLI yesterday afternoon.
After falling from his kayak the man was pushed down the fast flowing river. Members of the emergency services including the gardaí and local fire crew tried unsuccessfully to recover the man from the side of the river, but called on the RNLI lifeboat crew to launch a rescue plan.
Difficult waters
The lifeboat had to navigate the difficult waters of the Nenagh river which were strewn with debris following the recent bad weather. The kayaker was observed to be semi-conscious and was turning in the water when the lifeboat crew arrived on scene.
The lifeboat crew recovered the casualty over the side of the inshore lifeboat and he was immediately brought back to the station at Dromineer, but first aid was administered en route to the station.
An ambulance and the Coast Guard helicopter from Shannon were awaiting their arrival and paramedics gave the casualty first aid. It was then decided that best course of action was to transfer him by helicopter to hospital for treatment.
Commenting on the call out Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat helm Eleanor Hooker said:
This was an extremely serious situation and one where every second counted. If he had not been spotted and help had not reached him when it did he was in serious danger of being pulled under by the current.All the emergency services worked together to try and recover him as the speed with which he was being dragged down the river was increasing rapidly.
She added that the crew’s thoughts are with the man and they hope he makes a full recovery after his ordeal.
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