Toddler safe and well after freak accident on beach
A TODDLER who almost drowned in a freak accident on Ventry beach last Wednesday was back home safe and well by the following day after a dramatic rescue that saved his life.
Two-year-old George O’Flaherty from Ballyferriter was playing on the beach with his brother, Luke (4), when he fell into An Srúill – a shallow stream that flows across the beach near Ventry village. George had been out of sight of his mother Saidhbhe and grandmother Mary for only a few seconds and they immediately rushed to look for him but by the time Saidhbh pulled him from the water he was already unsconscious.
Saidhbhe, who trained as a lifeguard at the annual summer courses held in Ventry, carried out CPR and successfully resuscitated George on the beach while bystanders who came to their assistance phoned the emergency services.
After he regained consciousness George was brought to the nearby beachfront car park where a Dingle ambulance crew continued to provide first aid treatment before he and Saidhbhe were taken by air ambulance to University Hospital Cork. George was kept overnight in UHC for observation and by the following evening he was back home in Ballyferriter, safe and well but shaken by his ordeal.
Speaking to The Kerryman this week Saidhbhe and her mother Mary said people using Ventry beach need to be very cautious of the unexpected danger that almost claimed George’s life.
“I’d never have imagined that stream to be dangerous. It’s imperative that people using the beach during the summer should be award of how dangerous it can be, especially for young children,” said Mary.
“We were extremely vigilant watching out for the children and they were only out of sight for a few seconds before Saidhbhe went after them, but by that time George had already fallen into the water. It only took a few seconds.”
Mary added that lifeguard training courses Saidhbhe had done in Ventry made the critical difference in the moments after the accident. “Those courses saved George’s life.”
Both Saidhbhe and Mary said they couldn’t overstate their gratitude to the emergency services that came to their aid.
Dingle Coast Guard volunteers were on the scene in less than five minutes and “they were incredible”, the Dingle ambulance crew arrived very soon after providing first aid and reassurance, the Irish Community Rapid Response air ambulance arrived from its north Cork base in less than 20 minutes. “I couldn’t believe how amazing everybody was,” said Saidhbhe.
“The Coast & Cliff [Dingle Coast Guard], Gardaí, ambulance crew and air rescue were a sight to behold… we have so many tears of appreciation for those amazing men and women. We will forever hold them in our hearts,” they added.
“We’re so blessed , we’re so lucky. Thank you seems inadequate but thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”
Meanwhile, The Kerryman understands that the ambulance which sped to Ventry from Dingle was unable to drive to the beachfront car park because it was blocked off with concrete bollards that were put in place before the Easter Bank Holiday weekend to enforce coronavirus restrictions.
Dingle Coast Guard Officer in Charge Frank
Heidtke said the ambulance didn’t suffer any significant delay in getting to the scene because of the bollards, but added that: “Bollards on beaches are a problem for emergency services”.