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A newly engaged couple found themselves in a perilous situation on Achill Island, located off Ireland’s west coast, when a rapidly rising tide trapped them against a coastal cliff during what was meant to be a peaceful beach walk. With both boat and helicopter access blocked due to the severe weather conditions, the Irish Coast Guard had to resort to a challenging cliff rescue to bring the pair to safety.
The incident unfolded on a Monday afternoon amid gale-force winds. Volunteer Peter McManamon, who led the rescue effort, described the situation as harrowing, noting that the couple were “two very lucky people.” Originally from overseas but residing in Ireland, the couple had visited the scenic part of County Mayo and were walking along Keel Beach when the tide unexpectedly rose behind them, reaching above their knees and cutting off their route back. The pair, having recently gotten engaged on Achill, had ventured too far out on the rocks.
Due to the wind speeds, estimated between Force 8 and 10, operational options were limited. Rough seas made sending out the coast guard’s rigid inflatable boat impossible, and the helicopter crew encountered strong downdrafts from the mountain which prevented the winching of the couple. As a result, the rescue team turned to Achill Island’s cliff rescue specialists, who abseiled down the cliff face to reach the stranded couple standing in knee-deep water.
The woman was first retrieved and taken to a safer location, while her fiancé remained with water crashing around him. Both were then hauled up separately by rope over a distance of approximately 150 meters to the top of the cliff. McManamon mentioned the couple were suffering from the cold and on the verge of hypothermia. Due to the area’s remoteness, the rescued individuals had to walk about 2 kilometers to reach an ambulance. They were subsequently treated by paramedics and transported to hospital for precautionary checks, although neither required admission
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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