The heroic actions of local secondary school student, Robyn Kelly, have been lauded by the Athlone River Safety Awareness Group, her swift thinking response to a potentially fatal incident giving cause for due recognition this week.
As the Coláiste Chiaráin fifth year student journeyed to school, she noticed a male entering the water as her bus crossed the bypass bridge over the River Shannon. Immediately reacting to the seriousness of the situation evolving, Robyn made a phone call to her mother to explain what had unfolded before her eyes. The emergency services were then contacted with the hope of staving off a harrowing scene.
Hailing the swift thinking actions of Robyn this week, Athlone Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, who serves the role of Athlone River Safety Awareness chairperson, noted the calmness displayed by Robyn as the incident unfolded while she journeyed to school was to be much admired.
“Sitting at a window seat on the bus on which she travelled to school, Robyn was looking out across the morning landscape. As the bus was travelling across the bypass bridge over the River Shannon she spotted a man jumping into the river. It was just after 8.30am and what she saw could only have been a flash in front of her eyes as the bus travelled along.
“Understanding the seriousness of the situation she immediately contacted her mother, Carmel, and informed her what had happened, insisting that she dial emergency services promptly.
“Robyn was on the bus with children of all ages, some as young as 12. She did not want to frighten any of the children or cause panic so she explained this to her mother and asked her to deal with the emergency services. Robyn was remarkably calm and logical in her thinking that morning - not only did she recognise the urgency of the situation, but she also did not want to frighten the young children around her on the bus, including her younger brother,” Cllr O’Rourke stated.
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In the midst of the evolving situation Robyn managed to pass on a description of the man who entered the water to the emergency services.
“Robyn also managed to get a description of the man who entered the water and these details were passed on to the emergency services. Within minutes, Athlone River Safety Awareness volunteers were initially on the scene under the bypass bridge with their rescue robot and other rescue equipment. They were soon assisted by both the Athlone Sub Aqua and Lough Ree RNLI. For a couple of hours thorough river and bank searches were conducted, the volunteers being joined in the search by the coastguard helicopter,” Cllr O’Rourke commented.
Following an unsuccessful search there was much relief later that day when the man who entered the river called the emergency services to say that he had exited the water and had returned home safely.
“A short time later that morning an individual phoned the emergency services to say that they had jumped in from the bridge but made it out immediately and returned home safely. He apologised for the inconvenience caused to all involved in the search,” Cllr O’Rourke added.
Noting the need to recognise Robyn for her heroic efforts, Cllr O’Rourke, stressed that creating continuous awareness pertaining to water safety was a core value of the Athlone River Safety Awareness group.
“Robyn was incredibly calm and did all the right things, in fact there was nothing else she could have done, she was amazing. The Athlone River Safety Awareness group is a voluntary group and we aim to raise awareness about safety on and near the water. We have a group of volunteers who respond to water emergencies and we have all undertaken extensive training. We have also invested in the very latest in water rescue equipment which we hold in secure boxes on each side of the river in Athlone.
“Thankfully, we tracked Robyn down later that day because as a group we are always keen to acknowledge those who go beyond the call of duty, who step outside their comfort zone to help someone in trouble and Robyn certainly did that. She was brave, observant and demonstrated great maturity - she knew exactly what to do.
“We were delighted that the principal of Colaiste Chiarain, Brendan Waldron, allowed us some time with his students to talk about the risks and dangers associated with the water. We always encourage families to learn how to swim, to enjoy the water but most importantly, to always respect it.
“When the weather is good we are naturally drawn to the water, however we must always be on our guard and be aware of our own safety and those around us. Individuals should also note that if they witness a water based emergency they should dial 999 and ask for the coastguard. The coastguard immediately co-ordinates the RNLI and Athlone River Safety Awareness group.
“On behalf of Athlone River Safety Awareness, I presented Robyn with a certificate of recognition for her swift thinking actions and for her outstanding community leadership. Her family joined us for the presentation, they are so very proud of her and with every justification,” Cllr O’Rourke concluded.
