Fisherman swept from boat swims 1½ miles to safety

A fisherman who fell from his vessel off the south-west coast yesterday managed to swim one-and-half miles through treacherous conditions before waving for help from a small island.

The Coast Guard said the man’s survival was down to his strong swimming ability combined with the fact he was wearing a lifejacket when he went into the water.

Toe Head Coastguard got a call from Valentia at 1.40pm telling them that a member of the public on shore had reported seeing a man standing on an island waving an orange jacket.