Man rescued from River Shannon after passers by raise alarm

Two men who raised the alarm after spotting a man in distress in the River Shannon Friday night, have been labelled heroes, writes David Raleigh.

The men, believed to be Polish nationals, were walking along O'Callaghan Strand near St Michael's Rowing Club when they saw the man in difficulty in the water.

One of the men raised the alarm with members of the rowing club while the second man threw the casualty a life buoy.

It's understood the man was brought to dry land by a crew from St Michaels, who had been attending a training session in a boat nearby.

"He wasn't far from the shore and they took him out of the water in the boat. They kept him warm inside the club until the emergency services arrived," said a source.

The dramatic rescue happened around 8pm.

Three units from Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene, as did gardaí, and an ambulance crew.

The man, aged in his 30s, was treated by firefighters at the scene for shock and hyperthermia.

He was taken to University Hospital Limerick by ambulance.

"His physical condition is not life threatening," said a source.