Bravery award for boy who raised alarm when father suffered cliff fall

A ten-year-old Donegal boy has received a bravery award for the part he played in the rescue of his father after he fell off a cliff.
Owen Cunningham from Kilcar raised the alarm after his father Seamus sustained injuries when he fell off a cliff on November 16 last year while working on farm fencing.
Realising the danger his father was in and not having a mobile phone with him, Owen ran home and raised the alarm before cycling back to his injured father and waiting for help to arrive.
His father was treated for his injuries by National Ambulance Service (NAS) staff including a paramedic and advanced paramedic from Killybegs ambulance station. He was then airlifted from the scene by the Coast Guard R118 helicopter.
Those who attended the incident were impressed with Owen’s calm and brave response.
The NAS acknowledged his actions with a certificate of bravery which was presented to him at Kilcar National School on Wednesday.
The event was attended by NAS staff, including the advanced paramedic and paramedics who attended the call, Coast Guard volunteers who assisted in the rescue along with the Coast Guard R118 crew who also attended the incident.

Robert Morton, director of the National Ambulance Service outlined: “On the morning of November 16 last, we received an emergency call in the Donegal area. A man had sustained a serious fall. National Ambulance Service paramedics attended and provided care on scene. We were supported by the Coast Guard Helicopter and the man was subsequently transferred to hospital.
“The alarm was originally raised by a child who was there when the incident occurred and local crews were incredibly impressed by his calm approach throughout the incident.”
Praising his son’s bravery, Owen’s father, Seamus, added: “I’m very proud of Owen… the outcome could have been much worse. He is a very brave boy. It took a lot of guts for him to do what he did. He stayed with me the whole time.”