Martin and Pat saved seaman from drowning
THE ” luckiest man In Ireland” is lying this week in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, recovering from an accident which almost cost him his life. He owed his life to a 17-year-old youth from Drogheda, and his skipper.
It was in the early hours that Michael Matthews of Barrackfield Cottages, went to sea in search of prawns, little dreaming that he would be at the centre of a major rescue!
Michael, aged 45 years, a deck hand on the 56-ft. long trawler, Ard Macha, set out for sea in the company of fellow deck-hand, 17-year-old Martin Dawe of Brookville Park, Drogheda and their skipper, 38-year-old Patrick Rath of St. Michael’s Terrace.
Their vessel had steamed off the head for about two hours when the drama unfolded. Working against the rigours of a particularly poor summer night — a force four to six wind was blowing — the trio hauled their nets for about three hours. They had pulled it in and were proud of the heavy catch it contained when tragedy struck.
Michael, fully dressed in oil-skins and heavy waders toppled overboard, injuring himself as he did so.
The skipper and young deck hand watched in horror as their colleague lay helpless in the water.
Once, twice, three times they saw him go down. Finally, in a last desperate effort Patrick caught hold of the drowning man’s oilskins and with Martin’s assistance succeeded in getting a lifebelt around him.
“I don’t know where the strength came from to hold on to him”, admitted Mr. Rath. “But for Martin I’d never have succeeded in saving him”. Martin, he said, had been magnificent. “He never lost his head. But for him Michael would not be alive today”.
This glowing tnbute was modestly discounted by Martin. “How could I have saved him?” he asked.. “I only helped the skipper”.
Finally it was not so much Patrick or Martin’s efforts which saved the drowning man, but the sea itself. There was an almighty swell, said Patrick and Michael was washed in on the deck”.
Once aboard, the skipper and the young deckhand rendered artificial respiration. The nets, with their abundant catch had to be abandoned and an S.O.S. made to the shore.
The skipper of another vessel Mr. Mick Kirwan radioed for help and when Ard Macha reached harbour an ambulance from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital was standing by. Also on shore was local parish priest, Fr. William Murtagh and local doctor, Dr. Eamonn Scully. Mr. Matthews, who it is understood broke his leg, was stated to be “satisfactory” at the Lourdes Hospital.