HIKER AIRLIFTED AFTER FALL IN BURREN

A KAYAKER who was trapped in a cave for over 21 hours was freed yesterday afternoon following a major rescue operation in Mayo.

The man, who lives locally, was stuck on a ledge inside a cave at Downpatrick Head after a “freak wave” swept him in on Saturday evening.

Friends and family were seen celebrating at the scene once he was rescued at around 3.40pm yesterday.

Once he was freed from the cave, the rescue crew winched him up the cliff face.

The man, who was trapped overnight, was initially assessed by an ambulance crew who were on standby at the scene before walking to a helicopter where he was airlifted to Sligo University Hospital at 4.08pm.

A multi-agency rescue operation which included Gardai, the Coastguard, local fire, and ambulance crews, members of the Civil Defence, and an

RNLI lifeboat crew from Ballyglass began shortly before 6pm on Saturday.

The Irish Cave Rescue organisation also deployed cliff rope teams to help while the Garda sub-aqua unit, local fishermen, and civilians also assisted.

Tide

The man had been kayaking in the area with another woman when they decided to explore the caves during low tide — but a freak wave trapped him.

Fellow kayakers were able to grab the woman but he was pushed in and became stuck.

Rescue crews constantly monitored the man during his terrifying ordeal where he is understood to have been in “good spirits” throughout.

Garda Superintendent Gabriel Moran, who helped coordinate the rescue bid, said: “It appears that both of them were caught by the surge of a wave and washed off the ledge.

“The female was rescued by a number of kayakers who were kayaking in the area.”

He explained that the members of the Ballyglass lifeboat crew kept their eye on him during Saturday night and throughout the early hours of yesterday morning.

Supt Moran added: “Every half hour right throughout the night they have alerted him that they were still there, that they were working on the rescue and shone light into the area ensuring he was keeping awake and moving.

“The cave itself has a wide funnel-like structure … and narrows as it goes back.

A MAN has been airlifted to hospital after he suffered an injury while hiking in North Clare yesterday.

The alarm was raised shortly after 2pm when emergency services received a report that a person had fallen in The Burren.

The incident occurred on Blackhead Mountain in the extreme northwest of the county.

“An Garda Síochána would like to express its thanks to the local community who assisted in the care and feeding of all the rescue personnel who attended the area over the past number of days.”

In a statement to this newspaper last night, the Irish Coast Guard said: “The Coast Guard would like to take this opportunity to recognise the professionalism and dedication of those involved in the successful operation and in particular the team from Irish Cave Rescue Organisation.”