A fisherman is recovering in hospital after being rescued from Lough Swilly yesterday afternoon.
A mother and her son heard the man's calls for help at around 10 to 2 yesterday afternoon and alerted the coastguard. The man who was wearing a lifejacket was found by a local fishing boat clinging to a lobster buoy.
Three minutes later the Lough Swilly RNLI inshore lifeboat arrived on scene and the casualty was transferred onboard the lifeboat. The volunteer crew immediately administered oxygen and wrapped him blankets to warm him up.
The Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 arrived overhead within minutes and winched a paramedic onboard the lifeboat to assess the casualty.
The Lough Swilly RNLI inshore lifeboat came ashore onto Tullagh beach where the Coast Helicopter landed nearby. The casualty was immediately transferred to the helicopter and flown to hospital for treatment.
RNLI crewmember Joe Joyce said, ‘This man was very fortunate that his cries for help were heard by the mother and her son at Tullagh. Once they raised the alarm, help was at hand within minutes. From the arrival of the local fishing vessel, to the fast response of the lifeboat crew and Coast Guard; everyone worked together to help the casualty. We wish him a full recovery from his ordeal and we thank all the members of the public who had such a vital role in this rescue operation.’
