Skerries RNLI assist injured swimmer in multi-agency rescue
Skerries RNLI were tasked yesterday evening (Monday 6 June) by Dublin Coast Guard following 999 calls reporting an injured swimmer in Rush harbour who was unable to get out of the water.
Shortly before 5.30pm the pagers for the volunteers in Skerries were sounded. The crew were informed that they were responding to an injured person in the water, so they quickly launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson”. The crew navigated around the headland of Red island and through the islands before setting a course for Rush harbour.
When the lifeboat arrived on scene, there were already two Dublin Fire Brigade personnel in the water stabilising the injured man. He had jumped into the sea from the harbour and struck submerged rocks below. Coast Guard Helicopter R116 was also on scene, however given the nature of the man’s injuries winching him directly out of the water risked causing further discomfort or injury. R116 proceeded instead to land in a nearby field which Skerries Coast Guard had secured as a landing zone.
Three crew members from Skerries RNLI entered the water and assisted the fire brigade in placing the man on a spinal board. They then carefully floated him around the harbour wall, into the harbour and ashore. From there he was transferred by Skerries Coast Guard unit to an awaiting ambulance, which in turn brought him to the helicopter for onwards transport to hospital. Members of An Garda Síochána were also assisting on scene.
Conditions at the time were force one easterly wind with calm seas and good visibility.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘All of the emergency services really pulled together to ensure this man got the help he needed. We would advise anyone jumping the into the water to look for obstructions and check the depth of the water, every time, even if you know the area. Tides can vary and underwater objects can move. We wish the man a full and speedy recovery.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Gerry Canning, Skerries RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 087 988 4965 or email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Ireland Media Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Ireland Media Manager on 087 1254 124 or [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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