A LONE FISHERMAN was rescued by Lough Swilly RNLI yesterday after the rescue crew found the man clinging to a lobster pot buoy off Tullagh beach in Clonmany, County Donegal.
The dramatic rescue took place shortly before 2pm after a mother and her son, who were out tending sheep near Tullagh beach, heard cries for help and saw a man out at sea clinging to the lobster buoy.
Lough Swilly RNLI lifeboats, a local fishing vessel, the Irish Coast Guard helicopter from Sligo and the Coast Guard Greencastle boat, responded to the emergency.
Fishing boat
A local fishing boat, who were first at the scene, were guided to the location of the casualty by the mother and son who had seen the man in trouble from the beach.
The local fishermen managed to retrieve the freezing casualty, who was wearing a lifejacket, from the water and onto their vessel.
Three minutes later the Lough Swilly RNLI inshore lifeboat arrived on scene and the casualty was transferred onboard the lifeboat. The volunteer crew immediately administered oxygen and wrapped him blankets to warm him up. A few minutes later the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 arrived overhead and winched a paramedic onboard the lifeboat.
The lifeboat came ashore onto Tullagh beach where the Coast Helicopter landed nearby. The casualty was immediately transferred to the helicopter and flown to hospital for treatment.
Lough Swilly RNLI crewmember Joe Joyce said the man was “very fortunate” that his cries for help were heard by the mother and her son at Tullagh.
Once they raised the alarm, help was at hand within minutes. From the arrival of the local fishing vessel, to the fast response of the lifeboat crew and Coast Guard; everyone worked together to help the casualty. We wish him a full recovery from his ordeal and we thank all the members of the public who had such a vital role in this rescue operation.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say