Man rescued from Mayo sea cave was 'an experienced caver, strong and determined'

The man, 40, spent almost 22 hours on a ledge in a cave at Downpatrick Head, after being swept into the area during high tide last evening. Picture: Department of Transport

A major rescue effort has had a positive outcome after a man who was trapped in a sea cave since Saturday evening was rescued in north Mayo on Sunday.

The man, 40, spent almost 22 hours on a ledge in a cave at Downpatrick Head, after being swept into the area during high tide Saturday evening.

He was taken to Sligo University Hospital via Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 where he is said to be "well and in good spirits".

The man was rescued by the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation, supported by four Coast Guard units from Killala, Ballyglass, Killybegs, and Achill, as well as the Ballyglass RNLI Lifeboat.

John Sweeney, volunteer warden with the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation said it was quite a technical rescue.

“It was an intricate task. It was a very dangerous cliff face and the rock was very loose," he said.

“It took us in total from 4am to roughly 3pm."

According to Mr Sweeney, the team had to descend the 50m cliff face, then make their way into the casualty at the back of the cave — which was a further 50m in from the base of the cliff.

“Once the tide dropped enough, one of our team abseiled down to water level onto a ledge and was able to get to the casualty, get a harness on him and some warm clothes.

“He was an experienced caver, strong and determined. Our team member was able to traverse him out on one of the ropes.

“It was agreed that instead of trying to get him winched from the water, that he was strong enough to walk right around the cliff face to get to the helicopter," he said.

A statement from the Department of Transport thanked all rescue groups involved, in particular the local community at Downpatrick and North Mayo who supported all involved in the operation.

Agatha Hurst, of Ballyglass RNLI Lifeboat, told local radio station Mid West Radio that its volunteer crew had been at the scene since Saturday evening.

She said the crew had remained “in constant contact” with the man during the incident, shining a light in towards him and communicating with him.

She said that it had been “a huge, big operation with many different entities coming together between the Coast Guard, the Gardai, civil rescue, and of course Ballyglass RNLI”, in order to rescue the man.

A major rescue operation had been ongoing to save the man who was caught by rising waters yesterday and swept into the cave in the Downpatrick Head area. Picture: Department of Transport

A major rescue operation was undertaken to save the man who was caught by rising waters Saturday and swept into the cave in the Downpatrick Head area. 

A group of kayakers who were in the area yesterday evening brought a woman who was with him to safety - but rescuers were unable to reach the man, who was pushed into a cave. 

He managed to reach a ledge above water at the back of the cave. 

A woman who has been helping to provide food and beverages for volunteers taking part in the operation since Saturday evening said that it is "great news" that they have finally reached him, and "a real relief".

"Our community has helped serve the emergency service workers last night and today, we were overwhelmed with the generosity of all the local communities and businesses in Ballycastle and neighbouring areas that donated their time and food to make sure that everyone was fed throughout the night and day."

Earlier

An RNLI spokesperson said that their crew had been able to maintain contact with him overnight. 

"Visual contact was made with the man inside the cave last night, and has remained constant throughout the night as the Ballyglass RNLI Lifeboat crew have remained at the scene alongside emergency services," they said. 

The man's condition was not fully known, but responders at the scene did not believe him to be seriously injured at the time.

Sea conditions made it difficult to reach the man, as rescuers had to wait for water levels to come down. 

Sea conditions made it difficult to reach the man, as rescuers had to wait for water levels to come down. Picture: Department of Transport

An Irish Coast Guard spokesperson earlier said that the rescue coordination sub-centre at Malin Head was coordinated in collaboration with the other emergency services in an effort to safely retrieve the man trapped in the sea cave. 

"The incident has been ongoing since the Coast Guard received an initial alert on Saturday afternoon and presently involves a large number of resources including a number of Coast Guard Units RNLI Lifeboat from the local area, the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter from Sligo, An Garda Siochana, Mayo County Fire Service, Civil Defence and Irish Cave Rescue," they said this morning.  

Coastguard, Gardaí, Ballyglass RNLI, Killala Coastguard, Civil Defence teams, and firefighters as well as ambulance crew have been present throughout the day. 

Around 80 people are taking part in rescue efforts, and a local community hall stayed open overnight to provide food, tea and coffee, and facilities.

A Gardaí spokesperson said that there has been no change in the status of the operation so far this morning. 

"Gardaí and emergency services remain at the scene of an ongoing operation in the Downpatrick Head area of Co Mayo this morning. 

"There is no further information available at this time," they said.