Teen girl critical in rowing horror
‘Haunting’ incident on river as hair gets tangled in boat
A TEENAGE girl is in a critical condition in hospital after a rowing boat overturned yesterday.
The incident took place on the Abbey River – a tributary just off the River Shannon, Co Limerick – at around 10am.
It is believed the girl’s hair had been caught in outriggers – the part of the boat where the oar is placed – as the vessel overturned and she had to be cut free before CPR was performed.
Four female rowers were on board and firefighters who were training nearby acted immediately alongside the Limerick Marine Search And Rescue Service, gardai, and the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter.
Danny Ryan, who witnessed the shocking scene unfold from the water’s edge, said: “I could hear someone screaming.
“I could see the boat turned over and a girl waving and screaming.
“I could hear them calling the girl’s name, they kept calling for her. I couldn’t go to work. My stomach is sick over it. It was scary.
“I’m haunted all day. It’s the screams. I can still hear the girls screaming, ‘Help, help, help’.”
Mr Ryan’s wife Susan also witnessed the incident and added: “I was roaring over to them help was on the way.”
The injured girl was taken to University Hospital Limerick where she was in a critical condition, sources said.
It is understood the other three girls did not sustain any serious health issues.