Two recovering after island accident drama

Two men were recovering in hospital today after being airlifted from Inishboffin island following a car crash.

The accident happened on the island, seven miles off the coast of Connemara, in gale force winds.

The Irish Coastguard dispatched a helicopter from Shannon last night after it was contacted by the ambulance service in Galway.

The local men were brought aboard the helicopter on stretchers at the island’s landing pad.

A Coastguard spokesman said they were admitted to University College Hospital Galway early today.

“The weather conditions were quite severe. There were gale force north westerly winds and it was too rough for a lifeboat. The helicopter was the only option,” he said.

A hospital spokesman said the men were in a stable condition.

Inishboffin has a population of around 200 people and is a popular tourist destination.