Tourist airlifted from Blarney Castle after heart attack

An American tourist in his 50s who was airlifted from the top of the landmark Blarney Castle in Cork after suffering a heart attack is recovering in hospital.

The alarm was raised around 10.15am yesterday when the man, who is on holidays here with his wife, collapsed moments after they had scaled the flight of steep, narrow steps leading to the Blarney Stone.

Blarney Castle staff, who are trained in first aid, gave immediate assistance. A member of the Blarney community first responders, who happened to be working nearby, was on the scene within minutes, followed by two ambulance crews and two units of the fire service.