Wicklow RNLI assists in multi-agency response to swimming incident

The Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin, the National Ambulance Service and local Coast Guard Shore units were also deployed.

The inshore lifeboat Dennis-Audrey, under the command of Helm Mark Kavanagh and volunteer crew, Stephen Corcoran and Lorcan Hickey, was first to arrive off Blainroe at 10.12am. Conditions on scene were wind north-westerly in direction, force four, with slight sea swell and good visibility. The all-weather lifeboat crew arrived a short time later and stood by while the Inshore crew were on the beach.

The two swimmers had entered the water earlier for a morning swim at Blainroe. A short time later one of the swimmers got into difficulty, the other person managed to swim ashore and raise the alarm. Meanwhile another person with a buoyancy aid entered the water to help the swimmer.

As the Inshore lifeboat crew approached the beach at Blainroe, they found the two people making their way back onto the shore.

The lifeboat crew carried out a Casualty Care assessment on the two people at the beach. A stretcher was transferred from the all-weather lifeboat; this was for the swimmer who had been in difficulty. The casualty was transferred onto Rescue 116, which had landed on the nearby Golf Course and airlifted to hospital.

The person who had gone into the water to aid the swimmer was handed into the care of the National Ambulance Service and brought to hospital.

The lifeboat crews then made their way back to Wicklow harbour arriving at 11.35am

Speaking after the call out, Adrian O’ Connor, Wicklow RNLI Launch Authority said: “We wish both people a speedy recovery after their ordeal, thankfully the quick action of the person with the buoyancy aid ensured a positive outcome. This was also the first Shout for Stephen Corcoran and Lorcan Hickey, two of our newest volunteer crew members who got the opportunity to put their training into practice. We are proud of how they handled a challenging first call out, gaining valuable experience alongside the rest of the crew today.”