Swimmer rescued after getting into difficulty off Salthill in Galway

The alarm was raised at 12.25pm by a pedestrian who saw the woman struggling in the water between Blackrock and Ladies Beach. The Irish Coast Guard sought the assistance of the RNLI lifeboat which launched from Galway Docks a short time later.

Upon arrival, the RNLI crew were directed to the woman who was a couple of hundred metres from the shore opposite the Galway Bay Hotel. They took the woman on board and brought her back to the lifeboat station where an ambulance was waiting. Paramedics assessed the woman’s condition and she was allowed home a short time later.

Shane Folan, Galway RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: 'We would advise anyone thinking of going swimming to let someone else know. Today, for example, there were very challenging weather conditions with high winds and breaking surf.'

The lifeboat volunteer crew on the call out were Helm David Badger, Martin Oliver, Ross Forde and James Rhattigan.

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