A man was rushed to a Galway hospital on Thursday evening following a dramatic sea rescue by Galway RNLI Lifeboat and Salthill Gardai.

The man entered the sea near Whitestrand Road in Lower Salthill shortly before 10pm (22.00 HRS), approximately one hour after low water.

Salthill Gardai was called to the scene and a garda immediately swam out to the man, bringing him to rocks some 150 feet from the shore.

Galway Lifeboat launched at approximately 10.20pm (22.20 HRS) and had the difficult task of navigating the lifeboat Dochas betweens several mounds of rocks during the rising tide.

The lifeboat crew got the man on board and immediately administered him first aid.  At Galway Docks he was stretchered semi-conscious to a waiting ambulance and taken to a Galway hospital. The garda who swam to his rescue did not require first aid. 
Galway Lifeboat Operations Manager Mike Swan said it was a difficult rescue as the crew had to navigate the lifeboat in hazardous water full of rocks. “They did a great job and put all their training to excellent use.”

Weather conditions were very cold with temperatures at zero and southerly winds of 2 to 3.

The Lifeboat crew, involved in this rescue, was comprised of Helmsman David Oliver, John Byrne and Martin Oliver.

Last Updated ( Friday, 09 January 2009 )