Tag Archives: helicopter

TWO Italian brothers who were almost killed on Inis Mór two years ago before being saved by the crew of Shannon-based Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 115 helicopter were back in Ireland last week, thanking those who helped them. Giovanni and Ricardo Zanon were in Ireland in 2019, to attend the Father Ted tribute event Tedfest, on Inis Mór. Father Ted was of course a phenomenally popular 90s comedy, and the two brothers, who visited the Coast Guard base in Shannon last Thursday love the show, just as thousands of Irish people do. “We are fans of Father Ted, strange as it may seem, we saw all the episodes multiple times. We decided to go there for Tedfest, I think it’s something they have every year,” says Giovanni. While attending they went to see Poll na bPéist (the Wormhole) on the island. At the time they arrived Giovanni felt things were quite safe. “It was February and the weather was cold, but …

There is major concern for the welfare of a local surfer, who has been airlifted for emergency medical treatment to University Hospital Limerick (UHL). The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter R115 this morning transferred a man to University Hospital Limerick. According to a press statement issued by the Irish Coast Guard, the casualty got into difficulty while surfing in Lough Donnell, Quilty, CPR was administered to the casualty on scene and on route to hospital. The man is understood to have been a well known local lifeguard. It is believed that members of his family have been contacted to come to the UHL.    

A man has died in a workplace accident that happened shortly after midday today near the village of Doonaha in West Clare. Two units of the Clare County Fire and Rescue Services from Kilkee station along with National Ambulance Service resources were sent to the scene. A Garda spokesman confirmed that gardaí also attended the incident along with a request for the Athlone-based Emergency Aeromedical Service air ambulance to attend. Volunteers from the Kilkee unit of the Irish Coast Guard were tasked to secure a safe landing site for the helicopter, however, the man was pronounced dead at the scene and the helicopter was stood down and returned to its base. The man’s body has been removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post-mortem examination will be carried out. The Garda spokesperson confirmed that the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will conduct an investigation into the tragedy and that gardaí will assist as required.

In advance of the May bank holiday weekend the Irish Coast Guard and RNLI are appealing to the public not to take part in any water-based activity on or in the sea, while the Covid-19 restrictions are in place. Both organisations are concerned that as the restrictions continue, people may become complacent and be tempted to take to the water or proceed to coastal areas for recreation. However, it is crucial to continue to minimise the risk to Search and Rescue, volunteer crews, helicopter crew and other front-line emergency services, from being unintentionally exposed to Covid-19. RNLI and Coast Guard Search and Rescue services continue to be fully operational and on call 24/7. As the current COVID-19 restrictions continue to apply it is appreciated that people will want to get out for a break and take to the water if they are living or exercising near the coast or inland waters. However, both organisations are urging everyone to follow Government …

Two boys, both aged 15, who were swimming at a quarry in Ennis have died at University Hospital Limerick. It is understood that the two teenagers got into difficulty at a disused quarry near Knockanean in the town today [Thursday]. Both boys were recovered by the Coastguard helicopter shortly after 3.30pm, after gardai were notified that people were in difficulty in the water, at Knockanean quarry lake and assistance was required. They were airlifted to University Hospital Limerick but this evening news has emerged that both have been pronounced deceased. Both are believed to be from Ennis. Their names will not be released until family members have been notified. It is understood that the teenagers were due to sit their junior certificate examinations on Wednesday.

A TEENAGE girl was reported missing in Shannon Thursday night, but she was found shortly afterwards safe and well. She was reported missing around midnight and the Coastguard, Limerick Marine Search and Rescue and Gardai were all involved in a search. Twenty minutes after commencing the search, the Shannon based Coast Guard helicopter located a heat source in a wooded area at Illaunmanagh and a ground crew were dispatched to investigate. The girl was found in the area and was uninjured.