Local teenagers trapped by tide

DUN LAOGHAIRE lifeboat crews dramatically rescued three teenagers last week after they became surrounded by a fast incoming tide while out walking on Sandymount Beach.

The three teenage girls were taking a stroll on the beach when a heavy fog suddenly rolled in. The thick fog caused the teens to lose their sense of direction and they found themselves surrounded by water, with little visibility and temperatures dropping.

The girls called for help on a mobile phone when they realised they were trapped by the rising tide and the Dun Laoghaire inshore lifeboat was launched minutes later.

Both the Gardaí and the Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard Unit joined in the search from the shore in a race against time to find the teenagers.

The lifeboat crew were operating with only 100 metres of visibility in front of them. Approximately ten minutes after the lifeboat had launched, the girls heard calls from shore based teams searching for them and they were able to answer them.

The Coast Guard alerted the inshore lifeboat to their position from the shore and rescue crews transferred the three girls onto the vessel.

Rescuers said the girls were all extremely cold and were met at the lifeboat station by paramedics to be assessed.

“The teenagers were out for a walk when they were caught out by a rolling fog and a fast incoming tide,

? said Dun Laoghaire RNLI Coxswain Mark McGibney.

“They lost their bearings and were quickly surrounded by rising water. Thankfully they stayed calm and called for help.

“Our lifeboats were launched in minutes and assistance was also given by the Gardaí and local Coast Guard.

“If they had walked in the wrong direction they could have quickly become out of their depth. Instead they made the right decision and called for help. In this case, thankfully it ended well.

With the warm weather set to continue this week Irish Water Safety (IWS) officials are appealing to the public to stay vigilant around water.

The appeal comes in the wake of IWS drowning statistics for 2013, which recorded 91 drownings.

Last year there was 13 drownings over two particularly hot weeks in July, suggesting that the warmer the weather, the more likely there is to be a tragedy.

Males were particularly at risk of drowning last year, accounting for 75 per cent of deaths. Half of all those who drowned were adults aged 30-59.

“It only takes seconds for tragedy to strike and this can so easily be avoided if people take responsibility for their own safety,

? an IWS spokesperson said.

IWS advise the public to only swim at lifeguarded waterways or recognised, traditional bathing areas and to never use inflatable toys at beaches, rivers or lakes.

Meanwhile the ESB is warning of the potentially serious consequences of swimming in ESB reservoirs.

“This is due to the risk of uneven ground, deep waters, changing water levels and fast-flowing waters,

? a spokesperson said.

“These waters include the reservoirs at Poulaphoca and Golden Falls in Wicklow and Leixlip in Kildare.

“It is essential that ring lifebuoys are not tampered with and are left in their holders so that they are available if an emergency arises.

?

The ESB has also alerted the public that access has been restricted at the N81 amenity facility at Fallerees Commons, which overlooks the Poulaphoca Reservoir in Co Wicklow and is a popular day trip for Southsiders.

Fencing has now been put in place as a safety measure due to the recent erosion of parts of the walkway.

“ESB wish to make it clear that members of the pubic should not walk in this area and that access is not permitted,

? the spokesperson said.