Air and sea rescue crews attend achill scene

A BOATMAN is recovering in Mayo General Hospital after tumbling overboard and being struck by the propeller of the out of control vessel.

The victim, who is in his 20s, was plucked from the sea off Achill Island late last evening (Thursday) after locals noticed his obviously unmanned RIB (rigid inflatable boat) speeding around in circles.

Achill Island Lifeboat (The Sam and Ada Moody) rescued the boatman, who was trying to contact them by blowing a whistle on his lifejacket.

The man had been about 20 minutes in the choppy water.

After being treated for a leg injury caused by the boat propeller, the victim was winched into a Rescue 118 helicopter which transferred him to hospital.

Lifeboat coxswain Dave Curtis today (Friday) praised the vigilance of the public for their role in raising the alarm and bringing a happy outcome to a serious emergency.