Lucky escape for youths who jump from boat on River Shannon
Two youths had a lucky escape when they dramatically jumped from a boat after losing control of the vessel on the River Shannon today.
The incident occurred near Matthew Bridge, Limerick City, shortly before 4pm.
The youths, believed to be members of a local boat club, were travelling along the river when its engine failed.
The boat, carrying the two male youths, was swept along with a rapid current hurtling towards the bridge.
After losing control of the boat the youths made a jump for a nearby floating pontoon but missed and were rescued in the water by members of Limerick City Fire River Rescue and Limerick Marine Search and Rescue Service.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at 4.01pm.
According to sources, the boat which lost power near Athlunkard Boat Club was rapidly headed straight for Matthew Bridge.
The young men, who were not wearing life jackets, were found clinging to the pontoon by members of the fire service and the marine search & rescue divers.
"It's an extremely dangerous time to be on the water, and any patrons who use the river should always wear a life jacket for their safety," said an emergency services member.
"When the sun comes out, people are more attracted to the water and that's when tragedies occur. We see it year after year. These lads were lucky this didn't end in tragedy."
Gardaí, two units of Limerick Fire Service, two ambulances, a HSE rapid response vehicle, and a four-man dive team attached to the local marine search and rescue service attended the scene.
The youths were attended to by paramedics at the scene but were not seriously injured.
