Cork RNLI training turns to urgent rescue as crew save woman from drowning

A routine training exercise for the Youghal RNLI team turned into an urgent rescue operation when a woman got into difficulty while kayaking off the East Cork coast.

The crew were running drills for emergency call-outs on Thursday evening when they were alerted to a kayaker who had fallen into the water near Capel Island near Ballymacoda. A concerned passerby raised the alarm at approximately 7.40pm and the crew were on the scene within minutes.

The volunteers saw the woman had fallen from her kayak and was unable to climb back in, and they immediately called in support from the Irish Coast Guard and Youghal Coast Guard. A Rescue 117 Helicopter rushed to the scene, and together emergency services were able to bring the woman on board the lifeboat.

Thankfully, weather conditions were favourable and the casualty was brought to shore at the Ring Strand beach near Knockadoon, where they received medical assistance from the Youghal Coast Guard. There were four volunteers onboard the inshore lifeboat – first-time Helmsman Jack Nolan and crew members Liam Keogh, Alan Revins and Jason Innes.

Mark Nolan, Youghal RNLI Launch Authority said: “We want to wish the casualty a speedy recovery following their ordeal and commend the person ashore who raised the alarm by dialling 112 on seeing someone in trouble as time is always of the essence in situations like these.

“This routine training exercise turned into a call out for us but we are prepared for that too. I would like to commend all involved for their work in bringing this casualty onboard the lifeboat ashore, providing casualty care and then handing them into the care of our colleagues in the Coast Guard.”