Howth RNLI rescue person stranded at cliffs overnight

Shortly after 4.30pm, the Coast Guard requested the inshore lifeboat to launch to reports of an individual stranded at the base of cliffs close to the Baily Lighthouse. The Howth Coast Guard unit and Dublin Fire Brigade were also tasked to the incident.

Once on scene, two of the lifeboat crew were put ashore and located the man who was visibly wet, cold and unable to move due to injuries. The man was conscious and able to communicate with the crew. He told the crew he had fallen while out walking on Sunday evening. He was unable to call for help and had spent all of Sunday night and Monday on the cliff very close to the high water point.

The crew assisted an advanced paramedic from Dublin Fire Brigade in assessing the man’s injuries and it was decided to take him by sea to an ambulance. Due to a potential injury, it was decided to launch the Howth all-weather lifeboat to perform the extraction.

The all-weather lifeboat launched within minutes with five crew onboard.

At the base of the cliffs, the helm of the inshore lifeboat held the lifeboat steady while the two crew members, assisted by a member of the Coast Guard unit and the advanced paramedic, brought the casualty on board the lifeboat on a stretcher.

The inshore lifeboat made its way to the all-weather lifeboat which was standing by and the casualty and the advanced paramedic were transferred across. The all-weather lifeboat proceeded to Howth Lifeboat Station where the casualty was handed into the care of an ambulance crew.

Speaking following the incident, Howth RNLI lifeboat crew member Fin Goggin said: 'Thankfully this incident had a very positive outcome which could have been much worse if the person had not been spotted in the remote location where they were.

Although he had a mobile phone, there was no signal in the location he had fallen to on the base of the cliff. If he had fallen any further he could have ended up in the water.

He was very cold and wet having been exposed to the elements for close to 24 hours. Once we got there, we worked quickly with the advanced paramedic and the Coast Guard crew member to get the casualty safely out of there and into the care of an ambulance.

These types of rescues from rocks and cliffs form part of our regular training to ensure that when the pager goes off we can get there and back safely.

We wish the man well with his recovery after a very difficult ordeal. If you see anyone in difficulty on or close to the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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