Daring rescue as two children drift out to sea
DUNCANNON COMMUNITY PRAISED FOR HEROIC EFFORT
A dramatic rescue mission took place in Duncannon last week which saw six people being taken from the sea after two children drifted out into open water on an inflatable airbed.
The incident occurred on Monday evening, July 2, when two young girls drifted out on an inflatable lilo.
The volunteer crew with Fethard RNLI launched their D-class lifeboat at 8.31 p.m. after two local women raised the alarm. The women said they could see the airbed floating out towards open water off Duncannon Beach.
Four men, including the children’s father, entered the sea and swam towards the girls. RNLI Deputy Launching Authority, Hugh Burke, launched his own boat which was nearer Duncannon and made his way to the scene along with another local vessel.
A windsurfer who was out on the water also made his way to the girls and when Mr Burke arrived at the scene he saw one of the children on the lilo and one of the four men who swam out to help holding onto the windsurfer’s board.
Mr Burke took the girl and the swimmer onboard and brought them safely back to shore where he was informed by a shore crew member of Fethard RNLI that the girls’ father had been taken from the water by a local swimmer and was in need of urgent medical attention on Duncannon Beach.
The father had reached the airbed and rescued one of the girls, however, as he was swimming the half-mile back to the beach with his daughter he too got into difficulty and both were dragged under the water.
One of the other men then took the girl, who had taken on a lot of water, and made it safely to shore. That swimmer returned to the water to continue helping but he too got into difficulty as exhaustion set in.
Meanwhile, a strong local swimmer who had seen the incident unfold from his home immediately got involved and went to the aid of this man. He brought him to shore before going back into the sea and rescuing the father of the two girls.
As this was happening, a kayaker went to the aid of another man who had entered the water to help but who was drifting 100m away from the others and beginning to struggle.
Thankfully, he was able to hold onto the kayak as the kayaker brought him safely back to shore.
The Dunmore East Coast Guard unit was also tasked to the scene and arrived on the beach just before the father and daughter were brought ashore.
With the arrival of the Coast Guard Unit and the Fethard RNLI lifeboat crew casualty care was immediately administered by both teams.
A spokesperson for the RNLI commented: ‘ The man was treated for hypothermia and for drifting in-and-out of consciousness. The girl was treated for inhaling a considerable amount of water.’
‘Both responded immediately to casualty care and were looked after by all the volunteers on scene until the arrival of an ambulance,’ she added.
The two were then transferred to hospital for further treatment.
Commenting on the incident Mr Burke said it was a huge community effort that had averted tragedy.
‘With thanks to a huge community effort this evening, a tragedy was averted and we would like to commend all those locally who played their part in bringing the six people to safety,’ he said.
‘We also want to wish everyone who got into difficulty a speedy recovery following their ordeal.’
Mr Burke said time was a critical factor, from the alarm being raised and the efforts of locals at the scene to help, through to the administration of casualty care.
‘Fortunately it resulted in a good outcome for all,’ he said.
Mr Burke issued a warning advising people that inflatables such as lilos are designed for pools and not the open sea.
‘ They can be easily swept out by offshore winds and lead you into difficulty,’ he said.
‘Always wear a life-jacket, always carry a means of communication and should you get into difficulty call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
The rescue occurred just days after Fethard RNLI officially named its new D class lifeboat Naomh Dubhán; the purchase of which was funded entirely by the local community.