A kayaker was found
clutching to his boat after being missing for two
hours in Lough Swilly on Saturday.
The alarm was raised at 2pm when shore marshals of a
kayaking competition reported the young man overdue.
Malin Head Coastguard launched Lough Swilly RNLI’s
inshore and all weather lifeboats as well as tasking
the Coastguard Helicopter from Sligo. Three yachts
from Fahan Yacht Club and a dive rib from Inishowen
Sub Aqua Club also assisted in the search.
After searching the mid section of the lough for
approximately 30 minutes the casualty was spotted by
one of the yachts. Lough Swilly RNLI crew proceeded
directly to the area.
RNLI spokesman, Joe Joyce, said that on arrival at
the scene the crew of the lifeboat found the young
man "holding on tightly to his upturned kayak and
relieved to see help".
The crew recovered him from the water and then
transferred him to the all weather lifeboat.
He was showing signs of hypothermia and was treated
aboard the lifeboat prior to paramedics boarding the
boat that had by then made its way to Rathmullan
Pier. After an examination by the paramedics and
some follow-up precautions the young kayaker
returned to Buncrana Pier aboard the lifeboat where
he was met by his "relieved friends".
RNLI helmsman Eamonn Mahon said: "His first words to
the crew were 'I thought no one was going to come
for me!'." |
