Man rescued from Abbey river in Limerick

Two fire men have been hailed heroes after jumping from a bridge into the River Shannon tonight in "dangerous conditions" to rescue a drowning man.

The dramatic rescue happened after the two fire men jumped from George's Quay into the Abbey River that flows into the Shannon in Limerick City.

Limerick City Fire & Rescue Service were alerted to the scene after receiving a report at 7.19pm that the man was threatening to jump into the river at Barringtons Hospital, George's Quay.

Within five minutes the man was rescued.

Three units of the fire service were dispatched to the scene. On arrival the man in his 30s was seen entering the water. Two fire men jumped into the river and swam after the man in what was described as "treacherous conditions".

The fire men, wearing swift-water rescue equipment, reached the man within seconds and brought him to safety at Curragower boat club.

The two fire fighters who risked their own lives in the emergency response, are specially trained in river rescues and are qualified as Swift Water Rescue Technicians. The Limerick fire service has also recently purchased a boat to help them carry out emergency river rescues.

According to a source at the scene, the man was removed from the water within three minutes of the fire service's arrival on scene.

"He was transported to hospital by ambulance. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Gardai were also in attendance," the source added.

"It was very dramatic to see them go into the water in very dangerous conditions. They are real heroes," he added.

An experienced member of the fire service who asked not to be named said: "It was one of the best saves I've ever seen. It was such a team effort by all involved. Everyone knew exactly where they had to be and it was exactly as we practice it."

He added: "The river was treacherous tonight. It was an awful situation for some poor family to be in, so close to Christmas."