Two people were rescued from the sea at Tullan Strand, Bundoran, County Donegal, on Monday evening after one was swept off the rocks while fishing.

The alarm was raised at 8.03pm by Malin Head Coast Guard, who immediately tasked Bundoran RNLI. The inshore lifeboat, helmed by Oisín Cassidy with crew members Laura Gillespie, Mark Vaughan, and Finn Mullen, launched into rough conditions, including a force 4 southerly wind and three-metre swells. The boat reached the scene within eight minutes.

One casualty had been fishing near the Fairy Bridges when a wave swept them into the water. The second entered the sea in an attempt to help. The first casualty remained in the recommended Float to Live position until rescued.

The National Ambulance Service, An Garda Síochána, and the Sligo-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 also attended. Both casualties were recovered and transferred to Sligo University Hospital for treatment.

Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Daimon Fergus praised the public and emergency services, saying, “I would like to thank the members of the public who quickly threw a lifebuoy to the casualty in the water and all of the emergency services who worked together with our crew during this rescue.”

The RNLI reminded the public to carry a means of calling for help when near the coast, wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, and to float on their back if caught in difficulty. Anyone witnessing someone in danger should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.