Courtmacsherry RNLI responds to walker cut off by the tide
Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Val Adnams was called out at 7pm last evening (Thursday 19 September) to assist in the rescue of a walker that had been cut off by an oncoming high tide, on the rocky shoreline to the east of Garrylucas beach near the Old Head of Kinsale peninsula.
Under Coxswain Ken Cashman and a crew of five, the lifeboat was underway quickly and immediately made its way to the area of the casualty arriving off the shoreline at 7.23pm. The distress call was raised by a member of the public who spotted the person in difficulty and immediately contacted the emergency services.
The casualty had managed to climb 20ft up the rocky cliff face as the incoming tide cut them off from the shore, but was unable to go any further.
As the Old Head / Seven Heads Coast Guard Unit were first on scene at the top of the cliff and had set up their cliff rescue system, an assessment was made that the best method of rescue was the deployment of the Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter from Waterford that was now on site as well. In a skillful operation, the helicopter crew landed the winch person beside the casualty and the person was airlifted to the safety of the green field above while the lifeboat stood by just off the shoreline.
The casualty was assessed by the Coast Guard unit and while shaken by the events of the previous hour, was uninjured.
Speaking following the call out, Vincent O'Donavan, Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer said: 'Great credit is due to the 20 strong members of the Old Head / Seven Heads Coast Guard Unit for directing the rescue operation so efficiently last evening. The lifeboat crew on board the call out were Coxswain Ken Cashman, mechanic Stuart Russell and crew members Mark Gannon, Peter Nunan, Denis Murphy and Evin O Sullivan.'
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