Derry swimmer rescued after getting into trouble in waters off Castlegregory Beach in Co Kerry
Rescuers say it was a ‘miracle’ that the man, who is in his 30s and from Derry according to a reports in today’s Irish Independent newspaper, was plucked to safety after 12 hours in the water.
Volunteer lifeboat crew from Fenit RNLI and Rescue 115 had been requested to launch by the Irish Coast Guard at 11am yesterday.
That search was subsequently stood down, but at 6 pm gardaí requested that it be resumed.
Two lifeboats searched the original area and the bay nearer to Tralee and were joined by Rescue 115 helicopter.
At 8.30pm, the crew spotted a pod of dolphins and a head above the water about 4km off Castlegregory beach.
The man was conscious and brought on board.
The Operations Manager of the Fenit RNLI said it was “a miracle” they came across the swimmer.
Gerard O’Donnell told RTÉ’s Drivetime that the man was experiencing “a serious amount of fatigue, slightly disoriented, cold, close on hypothermic” and he was “pretty close to being in a non-swimming state”.
He said oxygen was administered to the man who was taken to hospital.
“This was a very lucky individual,” he added.
“We would advise anyone going for a swim to let people what time you are due back and where you are going.”
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