On Saturday night, a young girl was rescued from the sea at Dún Laoghaire Harbour in south County Dublin, thanks to a multi-agency rescue operation involving the Coast Guard, RNLI and gardaí.
The incident occurred at around 8.20 pm off the town's east pier. The child was taken to the hospital for treatment of her injuries, which have been described as non-life threatening.
It is unclear how the child ended up in the water, but high waves were noted in the area at the time. Prior to being safely taken on board an RNLI inshore lifeboat, several members of the public attempted to enter the water to rescue the girl.
The scene was attended by Dún Laoghaire Coast Guard, the RNLI, Rescue 116, and several other emergency services.
Heroic rescue just now in Dun Laoghaire. pic.twitter.com/ExrXcc73Kv
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RTE News reports that Luke Nolan from Rathfarnham in Dublin was walking Dún Laoghaire pier with two friends when he said he heard a girl crying out for help.
The 24-year-old said he and his friends found a young girl and an older man on the edge of the pier, both soaked from head to toe, who were trying to reach the other young girl in the water.
Mr Nolan and his friends tried to tie a number of life rings together and enter the water but he said the waves were too strong.
"It was extremely wild, the wind was crazy and the waves just kept coming and coming".
He said he was relieved the girl was rescued and that she had appeared to remain calm throughout the incident which he said lasted around half an hour.
He said those who had witnessed the incident were shaken and that although he was a sea swimmer it would make him think twice about entering the water.
"I've never experienced anything like it to be honest".
Commenting on the callout, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Ed Totterdell said, ‘Our thoughts are with the young child and their family, after what must have been a frightening experience. We would also like to thank the members of the public who raised the alarm by contacting the Coast Guard so quickly.
‘I am very proud of my lifeboat crew for their actions and swift response. We train every week for every possible scenario and this was one of those times where every second counted. I hope that this young person makes a full and swift recovery.’
If you find yourself in the water, the RNLI advice is FLOAT TO LIVE. Lie on your back and make a star shape, relax and try to control your breathing, using your hands to help you stay afloat. If you see someone in difficulty in the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.