Achill RNLI assist with medical evacuation on Inishturk

ACHILL Island RNLI responded to a request for assistance with the medical evacuation of a patient on Inishturk on bank holiday Monday.

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched shortly before 5 p.m. yesterday (Monday) with Coxswain Dave Curtis and five crew on board. It followed a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide assistance with an individual requiring medical evacuation from the island.

The Sligo-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118, was also requested to attend.

The all-weather lifeboat Sam and Ada Moody arrived at Inishturk at 5.35 p.m. Sea conditions were very calm at the time with light north west winds, and the lifeboat crew were met with glorious sunshine on reaching the island.

On arrival, the crew of Rescue 118 had taken the patient on board their aircraft and were getting ready to depart. The lifeboat crew stood by until the helicopter had safely departed before making their return to Achill Island.

Speaking after the call-out, Achill Island RNLI lifeboat operations manager, Ciaran Needham, said: “Our volunteer crew are always prepared and ready to answer their pagers, regardless of what day it is, or what time of the day or night their pagers may go off. They prepare for all eventualities and are happy to work alongside our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard providing assistance to them when requested to do so.

“I thank them for their rapid response, as always, on this occasion.”