Two major search and rescue operations got underway yesterday evening in the North West – one in Burtonport and another in Co. Leitrim near Bundoran.
A vessel overturned near Arranmore Island just before 6pm and a man could be seen in the water attached to the boat.
Due to the adverse weather conditions the Arranmore lifeboat had difficulty rescuing him and the man was retrieved from the water by the 118 helicopter.
He was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment and his condition is now not believed to be serious.
Station Manager with Malin Head Coast Guard, Darragh O’Malley Daily says if the man hadn’t been wearing a life jacket the outcome would certainly be different:
When the Rescue 118 helicopter was returning to base in Sligo, they received a call about a number of surfers in difficulty in off Tullaghan in County Leitrim.
The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI lifeboat were also tasked to the scene but by the time they arrived the helicopter had lifted one of the surfers out of the water.
All surfers were recovered from the water and did not need medical assistance.
Shane Smyth from Bundoran RNLI says the surfers were lucky the helicopter happened to be in the area at the time:
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