Baltimore RNLI provides medical evacuation from Heir Island

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore lifeboat following a request from the Irish Coast Guard at 8.34pm to provide medical assistance and evacuation to a woman on Heir Island who had sustained injuries following a fall.

The Baltimore inshore lifeboat arrived at the pier on Heir Island at 8.50pm. The casualty was brought onboard and the lifeboat departed the island, returning to the lifeboat station in Baltimore at 9.10pm. The volunteer lifeboat crew then handed the casualty over to the care of HSE Ambulance crew.

There were four volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Helm Jerry Smith and crew members Kieran Collins, Micheal Cottrell and Ian Lynch. Assisting at the boathouse in Baltimore were Rianne Smith, Marty O’Driscoll and Kieran Cotter. Conditions at sea during the call out were calm with good visibility and no sea swell.

This is the first call for Baltimore’s new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Rita Daphne Smyth, since she arrived on station last September. Earlier this morning, the inshore lifeboat was requested to assist in another medevac but was stood down again almost immediately when it was learned the casualty was able to make their own way to the mainland.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Baltimore lifeboat is often called upon to safely transport casualties between the islands and mainland, and our volunteer crews are trained in casualty care. If you find yourself in need of medical assistance, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. We wish the casualty a full recovery.’

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RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 087 2906607 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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