Bundoran lifeboat crew aid in rescue of two people from cliff

The Bundoran lifeboat added in the rescue of two who became trapped on rocks at the foot of a County Sligo cliff on Wednesday afternoon.

The Bundoran RNLI and the Rescue 118 helicopter were involved in the rescue at Mermaids Cove.

The lifeboat was tasked by the Irish Coast Guard at 2.41pm following report that the pair were in difficulty.

The lifeboat, helmed by Killian O’Kelly and with crew members Rory O’Connor and Fergal Mullen onboard, launched within seven minutes and made its way to the scene six miles away.

Arriving on scene, the crew observed two people at the bottom of the cliff who were unable to move without assistance.

A spokesperson said: “A crew member was put ashore to check one walker who had a suspected wrist injury.

“Having assessed the situation and given the location so close to rocks, a decision was made that the safest way to extract the casualty was to request the Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118 from Sligo.

“The helicopter crew on arrival, winched and airlifted the casualty to safety. The second person was able to make it back to the top of the cliff with the assistance of a lifeboat crew member and shore crew waiting at the top.”

Killian O’Kelly, the Bundoran RNLI Helm, said: ‘We would like to wish the casualty a speedy recovery and thank our colleagues in Rescue 118 for their help today.

‘We would remind anyone planning a walk at or near the coast to be wary of all edges around the sea and waterside as rocks can often be wet and slippy.

“Check weather and tides before venturing out and always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.

“Always take a means of calling for help and should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’