#RNLI - While most of the country was taking refuge from storm-force winds today (6 January), the volunteer lifeboat crew from Baltimore RNLI was called upon to assist in a medical evacuation from Sherkin Island in West Cork.
The call for assistance came at 12.23pm today when an elderly man suffered a badly broken leg.
The all-weather lifeboat, which is designed for severe weather conditions, safely made its way across Baltimore Harbour to the island, but considerable seamanship skills were required in the transfer of the stretchered casualty as a consequence of the large draw at Sherkin Pier.
Prior to transfer, the man had received medical attention and was strapped to a stretcher immobilising the injured leg.
Baltimore RNLI coxswain Kieran Cotter brought the injured man ashore at the new RNLI station at Bull Point in Baltimore. The man was transferred to an ambulance for further medical attention.
Volunteers onboard the lifeboat with Cotter were mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Aidan Bushe, Jerry Smith, Micheal Cottrell, Pat Collins and Tadgh Collins. Shore crew included Tom Kelly, Ronnie Carthy, Diarmuid Colins and Colin Whooley.