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A PAIR OF gardaí came to the rescue of a woman in Limerick on Saturday evening, after the car she was driving skidded off the road and ended up in the River Deel.
The incident took place shortly after 7pm at Newbridge in Askeaton.
Gardaí in Rathkeale were alerted to a report that the car had left the road and ended up in the river, with water rising in the car.
The water had risen to waist level and the significant current resulted in the driver not being able to open the door of the car.
Garda Michael Hally and Garda Andrew Maher rushed to the scene and saw the woman sitting in the driver seat in a distressed state.
The gardaí entered the freezing water and brought the woman to the riverbank.
Emergency services attended the scene and, while she was shaken, the woman suffered no injuries.
In a statement today, Inspector Andrew Lacey praised the gardaí who attended the scene.
He said: “Michael and Andrew deserve tremendous praise for their quick actions in coming to this lady’s aid. Keeping people safe is at the heart of everything we do and this is another great example of our commitment. The conditions on the night can’t be under estimated as the temperature were around -6 degrees.
“At all times of the year we should take care on the roads, but lately we have had icy conditions which require drivers to take extra precaution on the roads. Ensure you leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front and avoid harsh braking and harsh acceleration. Make sure your vehicle is winter ready.”
The driver, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I just really want to thank the two gardaí, Michael and Andrew, the Fire Brigade and the Ambulance Services for coming to my rescue. Without their help, who knows what could have happened to me.”
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Well done Gardai! And thinking of Garda F390 today as well.
@icaniwont: Indeed, brave to enter icy waters, thank God they were in time and RIP to Garda F390, may he rest in peace, condolences to his family and the wider garda family.
@icaniwont: Excellent Sentiment Thinking of Garda F390
Well done to these two heroes! Hope all 3 have recovered well. As per usual, massive respect to these Gardaí and to all of them who just go out and do their best every day. To think then on the other hand you have some individuals who just want to go out and obstruct and interfere with the Gardaí for the sake of a viral video of them being absolute tools just beggars belief
Its nice to have a good news story
The Garda are one best trained police forces in the world and have care for people in the community as a priority.Just to day I seen Garda bringing meals to elderly people near where I live..We are lucky we have them.
@Marty Mc.: Not to sure about the best trained part and even Gardai themselves would admit that, however I would take our Police Service over any other in the world any day, particularly the thugs masquerading as Police in the USA.
Heroic, and in minus six degrees in icy water? Well done to the Gardaí. Brrr !
She must have been terrified thinking she might not be rescued. Well done to the Gardaí
Well done Garda Michael and Andrew for your bravery under such conditions, great to hear a good news story.
Well done An Gardai .
Almost brought a tear to my eye reading this. Brave men. One lucky lady, this could have ended much worse for her.
Give a payrise to these 2 ledgebags.
Well done Guards involved
Well done, very lucky lady… great work gardai.
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