Boat to rescue of WWII veteran on Kerry island

A community-based rescue boat came to the aid, yesterday morning, of a 92-year-old man who had an accident outside his family home on a small island in Co Kerry.

The man, a veteran of the Second World War, is recovering in hospital after he slipped and fell at his home on Einaun Island in Sneem Harbour.

He may have sustained a fracture or a dislocation of a hip following the accident which occurred late on Sunday.

The Coast Guard at Valentia, which co-ordinated the rescue, was alerted yesterday and tasked the Derrynane coastal rescue boat at 9.47am.

Normally crewed by four, the Delta 740 rescue rib included a stretcher team which brought its rescue team to eight.

The crew, under chief coxswain Michael Donnelly, also transferred a medic to the Kenmare Bay island to assist the casualty.

The rescue boat’s honorary secretary David O’Mahony said: “The casualty possibly spent a night of pain.

“In the event of any accident or emergency, we would urge people to immediately contact 112 and, if it’s water-related, ask for the Coast Guard.

“Some people may not want to disturb the emergency services late at night but we are 24/7 year-round.

“There’s always a risk of someone, involved in a fall, suffering internal bleeding.”

Mr O’Mahony said the emergency, about a mile offshore, was completed by the crew of the inshore service boat at 11.28am.

“The crew got the call-out at 9.47 and were mobile, on the water, at 10.02am.

“A stretcher team was also required which meant we had a crew of eight on the boat.”

The casualty, not named by the emergency services, was taken to University Hospital Kerry in Tralee.

The 7.4-metre boat transferred the casualty to a HSE ambulance crew at Oyster Bed Pier near Sneem.

Meanwhile, the Derrynane inshore rescue service is one of a number of independent voluntary rescue boats that assists the Coast Guard.

The eleven boats are part of a countrywide group, Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI), who respond to emergencies in their areas on a 24/7/365 basis.

Mr O’Mahony said the Derrynane service is supported by local events and donations and can cost up to €30,000 a year to operate.

Other CRBI Boats are located in Bantry and Schull in Co Cork, Cahore in Co Wexford, Tramore and Bonmahon in Co Waterford, Derrynane, Banna, Ballyheigue and Ballybunion in Co Kerry, Shannon waterway in Limerick City and Corrib/Mask in Co Galway.