Courtmacsherry RNLI in call out to swimmer in difficulties off Broadstrand
Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather Trent class lifeboat Frederick Story Cockburn was called out this evening Friday (23 April) at 5.20pm, to go to the immediate aid of a person who had got into difficulties while swimming with others at Broadstrand on the Seven Heads Peninsula in West Cork.
Once the crew pagers were activated by Valentia Radio, the Courtmacsherry lifeboat under Coxswain Mark Gannon and a crew of six were underway from their moorings in the harbour within minutes and proceeded at full speed to the area of the casualty.
Conditions at sea today were very windy and there was a heavy swell flowing near the coastline. While the lifeboat was on the scene at Broadstrand within 15 minutes of being called, the person in difficulty had already been plucked from the sea by a kite surfer who was surfing off shore and who was alerted by fellow swimmers on the shore to the unfolding incident.
Ballinadee man Dylan Green was kite surfing in Broadstrand for the very first time and the experienced kite operator performed heroics in locating the swimmer about 100m off the rocks in rough conditions and used all his skill in plucking the lady from the water and then used the benefit of the on-shore wind in his kite to bring the casualty ashore.
Once onshore she was assessed and treated by locals including medical personnel who were at the beach, until the HSE Ambulance arrived. Thankfully the casualty was in a position to return home with her family after an assessment by the HSE Ambulance and Rapid Response team. Also on the scene this evening were local members of the Seven Heads Coast Guard unit and West Cork Underwater Search team.
Brian O Dwyer, Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said 'It was amazing to witness myself the great skill of the kite surfer this evening, who prevented a very serious incident from happening. We would like to also commend those on shore who called the rescue services at 112 or 999 quickly this evening, as every minute is so important to people in difficulty.'
The Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat crew involved in today’s call out were Coxswain Mark Gannon, Mechanic Chris Guy and crewmembers Tadgh McCarthy, Mark John Gannon, Evin O Sullivan, Ken Cashman and Dave Philips
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