Galway RNLI rescued six people who got into difficulty in the sea off Rabbit Island on Monday evening. The group who had walked over to the island at low tide were then stranded by the incoming tide and were attempting to swim back to shore when they got into difficulty.
The volunteer crew at Galway RNLI were asked to launch their inshore Atlantic 85 class lifeboat at 5.30pm by the Irish Coast Guard after a member of the public spotted one of the group getting into the water and attempting to swim back to shore. Concerned that the group was going to get into difficulty, they immediately raised the alarm.
The lifeboat helmed by David Oliver and with crew members Brian Niland, Martin Oliver and Cathal Byrne onboard, launched within minutes and made its way to the scene approximately 10 minutes from the station.
Weather conditions at the time were good with hot weather, flat calm seas, clear skies and good visibility.
Arriving on scene, the lifeboat crew observed six people in the water attempting to swim the quarter of a mile back to shore.
With one of the group struggling and in great difficulty, the crew first went to their rescue taking the casualty out of the water and bringing them safely onboard the lifeboat. The crew then rescued the five others onto the lifeboat before returning them all safely back to shore at Murrough House.
Speaking following the call out, Barry Heskin, Galway RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: time was of the essence.
“We need to commend the member of the public who had the foresight to raise the alarm as soon as they thought the group might get into difficulty, that made a difference and helped to ensure we were on scene at the right time.
“The group had walked out to Rabbit Island at low tide but then got stranded when the tide came in and their access to the mainland was cut off. It was when they attempted to swim back that they experienced difficulties.
“We were thankfully able to rescue them from the water in good time and no casualty care needed to be administered. We would like to wish the group well following what was a frightening experience for them.
‘We have some beautiful weather at the minute, and we want everyone to enjoy it, but we would urge everyone to think safety first and respect the water.
“Before planning an activity on or near water, check weather and tide times to ensure it is safe to proceed. When going out always carry a means of communication and let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back.
“We are also experiencing some spring tides at the minute, and it is very easy for people to get cut off. If you do happen to become stranded, don’t attempt to swim to shore yourself, rather use your means of communication to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
“And if you do get into difficulty in the water, try to float to live. To do this, lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident on the same evening, a swimmer was rescued from a lake following a frantic search that lasted over an hour and a half at Loughrea.
The dramatic rescue was made just as hope was fading that the swimmer would be found.
The swimmer, believed to be a woman in her early 40s, had gone swimming at the popular lake during the warm evening.
The alarm was raised shortly after 7.30pm when she went missing.
Loughrea Fire Brigade and the other emergency services rushed to the scene, while the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 115 helicopter based at Shannon was tasked and joined the search.
The search initially took place on the eastern shore of the lake before being expanded as local people joined the search in a frantic effort to locate the missing woman.
The lake is very popular with swimmers throughout the year but particularly during warm weather.
The lake has a lifeguard service.
Rescue crews from Galway city 40km away rushed to the scene in an effort to locate the missing swimmer. The search of the 260 hectare lake was expanded as darkness fell and hopes were fading.
But then the woman was located in the middle of the lake. Rescue services said she was struggling and very cold but not injured.
She was removed to a waiting ambulance on the shore where she received treatment and the search was stood down.
