Lifeboat crew with Castletownbere RNLI launched this afternoon (Tuesday 21 December 2010) at 3.30pm to transfer a man from Bere Island to Bantry in West Cork after he was injured in a fall. The lifeboat crew had to step in after heavy snows made the roads in Bantry impassable and stopped the ferry running.
The man in his thirties was transferred onto the lifeboat at Bere Island and brought to Bantry to be met by a waiting fire brigade. The casualty was then brought to hospital for treatment. Conditions at sea were fair but with a very heavy snow falling.
Commenting on the callout Deputy Second Coxswain Paul Stevens said, "This was a callout in very challenging conditions. Due to the heavy snowfall in West Cork the roads in some places are impassable and travel is very difficult. We were delighted to be able to help out and ensure that the man was transferred quickly to receive emergency treatment. Our lifeboats are there to save lives wherever we can."
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