Baltimore RNLI carries out medical evacuation from Sherkin Island

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat following a request from the Irish Coast Guard at 1.39pm to provide medical assistance and evacuation to a man with suspected abdominal injuries following a fall on Sherkin Island off the coast of West Cork.

The volunteer lifeboat crew arrived on scene at 1.45pm and transferred the casualty to the all-weather lifeboat. The lifeboat returned to Baltimore lifeboat station arriving at 2.01pm where it was met by two HSE paramedics who treated the casualty whilst they waited for the HSE ambulance to arrive. Weather conditions were good at the time with a south-westerly force 4-5 wind and calm sea conditions within the harbour.

There were seven volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Kieran Cotter, Mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Jerry Smith, Brendan Cottrell, Micheal Cottrell, David Ryan and Aidan Bushe. Providing assistance at the lifeboat station was Don O’Donovan.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Medical evacuations from the islands off the Cork coast are a vital service carried out by the lifeboat crew for our communities. Thankfully conditions today were good and the crew were able to reach the casualty quickly and transfer him to Baltimore to be taken into the care of the HSE. We hope the injured man makes a full recovery.’

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RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Kate Callanan Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 087 290 6607 or Baltimore RNLI Deputy Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Cyril Thornton Tel: 087 9876718

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: [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.