Fisherman airlifted on third attempt

AN injured Spanish fisherman was airlifted at a third attempt early yesterday, during a six-hour rescue mission for an Irish Coastguard helicopter off the southwest.

Extreme weather hampered the rescue mission, with a Shannon-based helicopter battling gale force winds and 20-foot high swells.

“The conditions were horrendous,” a coastguard spokesman said, “making it impossible for the helicopter crew to winch the injured man during the first two attempts.”