Man thanks rescue crews after heart attack at sea

A CORNISH fisherman who suffered a heart attack 400km off the Irish coast and outside the range of any rescue helicopter, has thanked the Irish Coast Guard and the crew of a Spanish hospital ship for saving his life.

Exactly, one month ago, 61-year-old Kevin Bennetts was on board the English-registered trawler Ben Loyal, and was “trolling” for tuna 400km south-west of Valentia in Co Kerry.

The 18-metre vessel was two days into its trip when Mr Bennetts began suffering severe chest pains and quickly realised he was suffering a heart attack.

Skipper Quentin Knights immediately contacted Falmouth Coast Guard in England but was informed his boat was more than 160km outside of the operating limits of Royal Navy rescue helicopters based at Culdrose in Cornwall.

In a further stroke of misfortune, the vessel was also outside the range of the nearest Irish Coast Guard helicopter.

However, a Spanish hospital ship also picked up the distress call. The Juan de la Cosa was about 15km away and was able to divert and meet with the trawler.

Mr Bennetts was transferred by dinghy to the floating hospital and it was decided he needed to be transferred to a hospital.

In an operation co-ordinated by the marine rescue co-ordination centre at Valentia, the Juan de la Cosa rendezvoused with the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter which had flown out to meet the ship.

Mr Bennetts, who is still recovering in his West Cornwall home, believes the Irish Coast Guard was instrumental in saving his life.

“Once aboard the Juan De Cosa I was rushed into the impressive hospital which has its own operating theatre and intensive care unit. My condition was assessed by a top consultant in Madrid via a live satellite link and the decision was taken to evacuate me by helicopter to hospital in Ireland,” Mr Bennetts said.

“The ship steamed through the night around 100 miles north to make the rendezvous at the SAR helicopter’s maximum range. I was once more strapped into the stretcher and hoisted aboard the chopper for the 1 hour 50 minute flight to Shannon Airport, from where an ambulance took me to hospital in Limerick. Fortunately it went well for me due to the consummate professionalism of all involved.” he added.

In a message to his Irish rescuers, Mr Bennetts said: “The (Coast Guard) staff on Valentia made it all happen by tying the ends together. Keep up the good work and thank you one and all.”