Baltimore RNLI provides medical evacuation from Heir Island

Baltimore RNLI carried out a medical evacuation last night (Wednesday) from Heir Island off the coast of West Cork.

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore lifeboat following a request from the Irish Coast Guard at 8.34pm to provide medical assistance and evacuation to a woman on Heir Island who had sustained injuries following a fall.

The Baltimore inshore lifeboat arrived at the pier on Heir Island at 8.50pm. The casualty was brought onboard and the lifeboat departed the island, returning to the lifeboat station in Baltimore at 9.10pm. The volunteer lifeboat crew then handed the casualty over to the care of HSE Ambulance crew. 

There were four volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Helm Jerry Smith and crew members Kieran Collins, Micheal Cottrell and Ian Lynch. Assisting at the boathouse in Baltimore were Rianne Smith, Marty O’Driscoll and Kieran Cotter. Conditions at sea during the call out were calm with good visibility and no sea swell.

This is the first call for Baltimore’s new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, 'Rita Daphne Smyth,' since she arrived on station last September.  Earlier in the day, the inshore lifeboat was requested to assist in another medevac but was stood down again almost immediately when it was learned the casualty was able to make their own way to the mainland. 

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, said: ‘Baltimore lifeboat is often called upon to safely transport casualties between the islands and mainland, and our volunteer crews are trained in casualty care.  If you find yourself in need of medical assistance, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.  We wish the casualty a full recovery.’