Bundoran RNLI called out to surfers in difficulty
The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI lifeboat were requested to launch this evening (Saturday 9th April) to reports of surfers in difficulty off Tullaghan in County Leitrim.
The 999 call was made by a member of the public who noticed the surfers struggling to make their way back to shore.
Within minutes the lifeboat launched in challenging conditions and made its way to the scene where the Sligo based Rescue 118 helicopter, who were returning from another incident, had already lifted one of the surfers out of the water. The other surfer was then lifted from the water by the lifeboat. The helicopter landed and handed over the surfer they had lifted to RNLI shore crew. Neither surfer needed medical assistance.
On their return to the the lifeboat station Bundoran RNLI Helm Brian Gillespie said 'the surfers had luck on their side with the helicopter passing and our lifeboat being able to launch in such challenging conditions. The outcome was positive on this occasion and we are thankful we were able to get to the surfers on time. We would like to remind anyone who sees anyone in trouble on the coast to ring 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
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For more information please contact Shane Smyth Bundoran RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 087 6611022 email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 [email protected]
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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