Gardaí seek hoax caller

GARDAÍ are trying to trace a hoax caller who contacted emergency services in Co Waterford claiming that a man was drowning.

The call led to an emergency alert involving ambulance and fire services, a lifeboat and rescue helicopter.

Officers are treating the call, made on Wednesday night, extremely seriously.

Several ambulances from Waterford Regional Hospital were joined by fire fighters, a life boat and the Waterford air and sea rescue helicopter following a report that someone had fallen into the River Suir near Slieverue.

Eamonn Jones of the Waterford ambulance service said they had been searching for more than two hours in extremely difficult conditions, hampered by rain and high winds, when it emerged that the call was a hoax.

“I hope the person who made this call is proud of themselves. They should realise the damage and harm that has been done. Lives could have been lost had any of the crews involved in the search been needed elsewhere.

“The waste of time could have put lives at risk. If someone had a cardiac arrest in the city or if there was a traffic accident, every minute would have been important,” he added.