Two Italian tourists who were rescued by an Irish Coast Guard crew when they were swept into the sea at Inis Mor two years ago returned to the island yesterday to reunite with the team who helped them.
Brothers Giovanni and Ricardo Zanon were swept into very rough seas while visiting Pol na bPeist, the Worm Hole, in February 2019.
Irish Coast Guard Rescue 115 was dispatched to the scene of the accident, where the crew ascertained that one of the pair was seriously injured. In a dramatic rescue, CHC winchman Phillip Wrenn was lowered to the men, and as the waves were getting higher and more unpredictable he made a decision to release from his winch in order to secure one of the brothers who had gone under water. He then gathered both, and all three were winched on board.
Rescue 115 brought the brothers to University Hospital Galway, where they were both treated for their injuries. Ricardo Zanon was seriously injured with an open tibia/fibia fracture. After two years of treatment to rebuild a number of inches of bone in his leg, he has travelled back to Ireland with his brother and parents to thank the CHC Shannon-based crew who operate Irish Coast Guard R115.
Phillp Wrenn was recognised for his bravery following the rescue, receiving the Billy Deacon Award, which is presented to winchmen and/or winch operators for meritorious service during search and rescue helicopter operations within the UK and Ireland
The Zanon family visited Pol na bPeist yesterday (Wednesday ), where they met and thanked Mr Wrenn for his bravery in saving them. This was followed by a visit to the CHC base in Shannon, the home of Rescue 115, where they met the rest of the crew, including Captain Colm O’Grady, pilot of 115 on the day of the rescue.
