Quick thinking saves swimmers from drowning

June 1995

A MAJOR drowning tragedy in the North Kerry seaside resort of Ballybunion was averted on Sunday afternoon thanks to the heroism and quick-thinking of a group of local people.

Three bathers were swept out to sea in strong currents as they swam out from the beach opposite the old golf course in Ballybunion, up to two miles away from the main bathing area where lifeguards were on duty.

They were Tim McCarthy, Tralee, Liz Lyons, Tralee and John Sheahan, Listowel.

Three Ballybunion men taking part in a fishing competition noticed the three signalling for help shortly after 4pm.

Dave O’Connor of Sandhill Road, Ballybunion said he noticed two men and a woman who appeared to be in difficulties, and he and Padraig Hughes and Padraig O’SulIivan tried to swim to their aid.

“We got as near to them as we could but they were too far out. The girl seemed to be very frightened and she was crying, and all three of them seemed very weak. I could swim all right but I didn’t know anything about life saving,” he said.

Mr O’Connor was then joined in the water by Treasa Joy, an experienced swimmer from Tralee who swam out and managed to keep the heads of the two men above the water. By this stage the woman had been brought in to safety by Padraig Hughes.

“Someone was gone for help but we knew they couldn’t last much longer in the water. So we came up with an idea to form a human chain to try to bring them in. About 50 people who were on the beach immediately came in to the water to help,” he said.

By joining hands and forming a lengthy chain, the helpers were able to reach Treasa Joy and the two men in difficulties and keep them all afloat.

Large waves hampered their efforts, but the men were able to hold on to a piece of wood and a boogie board passed on to them by the other swimmers.

The Ballybunion Sea Rescue Boat then arrived and brought the two men and the woman to the main beach, where a doctor and an ambulance were waiting.

Dave O’Connor paid tribute to everyone on the beach who volunteered to take part in the human chain, and particularly to Treasa Joy, whom he said acted in an extremely brave way by keeping the two men afloat.

All three people rescued on Sunday were swimming together and all were in their twenties.

They were taken to Tralee General Hospital on Sunday evening, suffering from hypothermia and shock. All three were released the next morning.