#RNLI - Castletownbere RNLI’s lifeboat was tasked just before noon yesterday (Sunday 13 November) to go to the aid of a man trapped a ledge on the shore in the Dursey Sound.
The lifeboat, under the command of second coxswain Paul Stevens, was launched within seven minutes and arrived on scene 35 minutes later, where the casualty was located at the bottom of a cliff on a narrow ledge and suspected to be suffering from hypothermia.
Given the dangerous 3-4m swell on the shoreline, the lifeboat was unable to launch its inflatable Y-boat.
The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 was also on scene but unable to deploy a winchman given the adverse conditions.
However, the lifeboat was able to provide the coastguard with details of the casualty's location through radio contact.
The local Castletownbere Coast Guard shore-based rescue unit lowered one of its team down the rock face who was able to secure the casualty before both were carefully brought up the cliff.
On receiving a medical assessment from ambulance crew, the casualty was transferred to Tralee General Hospital by helicopter.