#lifeboat – Lifeboat crew at Enniskillen RNLI launched this afternoon (Friday 15 November) when a small aircraft reported that it was in trouble and about to ditch in Lough Erne. The lifeboat crew based at Carrybridge on Lough Erne launched immediately along with their Rescue Water Craft and proceeded to the Crom area where the plane had entered the water. The two men onboard had managed to free themselves and made their way safely ashore.
The Atlantic 75 lifeboat and Rescue Water Craft were launched at 4.46pm. On arriving at the scene at 5.05pm the lifeboat volunteers commenced a search on a westerly course for approximately half a mile before they located the flashing red tail light of the plane which was submerged approximately two feet under the water.
Confirmation had reached the lifeboat volunteers from the coastguard that the two men had made it safely ashore and were with a member of the public. They were subsequently joined by members of the Erne coastguard shore-based team.
Commenting on the incident Enniskillen RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Davey Robinson said, ' These were two very lucky men and the fact that they are both safe and unharmed is largely due to the skill of the pilot who managed to ditch the plane in the water near to the shore.
Enniskillen RNLI lifeboat helm Chris Cathcart added, 'The location where we found the aircraft submerged in the water was about hundred metres from the shore. This undoubtedly helped in the successful outcome of the operation.'
