Menu
17/05/2010
Sea Drama Follows North West 200
There were several emergency costal incidents over the North West 200 weekend.
First, a spectator who fell from a cliff at Portrush has been left in a critical condition in hospital after he fell about 60ft.
He was at the annual event which attracts thousands of motorcycling enthusiasts to the North Coast to watch one of the world's fastest motorbike road racing events with many also making the best of the weekend when the races are complete.
As a result of their own later celebrations, two people then had to be rescued from the sea at Portrush after they got into trouble in the cold water on Saturday evening.
Had a member of the public not heard them shouting for help and made a 999 call, the pair - who were drunk - would have not survived after they entered the sea after they thought they saw a dog struggling to get ashore.
They were rescued by the Portrush lifeboat whose spokesman, Operations Manager Robin Cardwell told the BBC that the two men involved in the rescue on Saturday evening were lucky to be alive.
He said that when the lifeboat arrived, they were both about 40 metres from shore and had drifted about 100 metres apart.
"One of them managed to keep afloat while the other was more or less lying on top of the water," he said.
Mr Cardwell said that when they were brought on to the lifeboat, they were violently sick and showing signs of hypothermia.
"We got them into the boathouse and by that stage an ambulance had arrived. They weren't saying a lot and they were sick in the boathouse as well," he said.
"There's no doubt in my mind that if the boat hadn't got there when it did, they would have perished."
He said there was no sign of any dog in the water.
Meanwhile, a man was yesterday rescued from the sea in rough conditions near Portrush on Sunday after falling from a boat.
Two people onboard the 18-foot cabin cruiser made a mayday call at about 9.20am on Sunday from about half a mile east of Ballintoy harbour.
A rescue helicopter was scrambled from Prestwick in Scotland but it returned to base after the man was brought to safety.
(BMcC/GK)
First, a spectator who fell from a cliff at Portrush has been left in a critical condition in hospital after he fell about 60ft.
He was at the annual event which attracts thousands of motorcycling enthusiasts to the North Coast to watch one of the world's fastest motorbike road racing events with many also making the best of the weekend when the races are complete.
As a result of their own later celebrations, two people then had to be rescued from the sea at Portrush after they got into trouble in the cold water on Saturday evening.
Had a member of the public not heard them shouting for help and made a 999 call, the pair - who were drunk - would have not survived after they entered the sea after they thought they saw a dog struggling to get ashore.
They were rescued by the Portrush lifeboat whose spokesman, Operations Manager Robin Cardwell told the BBC that the two men involved in the rescue on Saturday evening were lucky to be alive.
He said that when the lifeboat arrived, they were both about 40 metres from shore and had drifted about 100 metres apart.
"One of them managed to keep afloat while the other was more or less lying on top of the water," he said.
Mr Cardwell said that when they were brought on to the lifeboat, they were violently sick and showing signs of hypothermia.
"We got them into the boathouse and by that stage an ambulance had arrived. They weren't saying a lot and they were sick in the boathouse as well," he said.
"There's no doubt in my mind that if the boat hadn't got there when it did, they would have perished."
He said there was no sign of any dog in the water.
Meanwhile, a man was yesterday rescued from the sea in rough conditions near Portrush on Sunday after falling from a boat.
Two people onboard the 18-foot cabin cruiser made a mayday call at about 9.20am on Sunday from about half a mile east of Ballintoy harbour.
A rescue helicopter was scrambled from Prestwick in Scotland but it returned to base after the man was brought to safety.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 July 2016
Two Body Boarders Rescued From Beach In Portrush
Two body boarders have been rescued after getting trapped in a cave at Whiterocks beach in Portrush, Co Antrim. A member of the public raised the alarm at around 4.30pm on Sunday, 17 July.
Two Body Boarders Rescued From Beach In Portrush
Two body boarders have been rescued after getting trapped in a cave at Whiterocks beach in Portrush, Co Antrim. A member of the public raised the alarm at around 4.30pm on Sunday, 17 July.
18 August 2006
Surfers rescued off Portrush
Two young children and a man had to be rescued from the sea off Portrush after getting into difficulties while surfing on Thursday. The three were recovered by Portrush Inshore Lifeboat in a resue operation co-ordinated by Coleraine Coastguard.
Surfers rescued off Portrush
Two young children and a man had to be rescued from the sea off Portrush after getting into difficulties while surfing on Thursday. The three were recovered by Portrush Inshore Lifeboat in a resue operation co-ordinated by Coleraine Coastguard.
28 July 2017
Public Consultation Launches To Redevelop Portrush Train Station
A public consultation has been launched to redevelop Portrush Train Station, Co Antrim. Translink plans to invest £5.5million in the new development. Work on the new station is expected to be completed in Spring 2019, subject to planning approval.
Public Consultation Launches To Redevelop Portrush Train Station
A public consultation has been launched to redevelop Portrush Train Station, Co Antrim. Translink plans to invest £5.5million in the new development. Work on the new station is expected to be completed in Spring 2019, subject to planning approval.
16 June 2014
Open Returns To NI
The Open golf competition is to return to Northern Ireland in 2019, it has been confirmed. The Royal Portrush Golf Club is to host the sport's oldest competiton for the first time since it was last hosted at the venue in 1951.
Open Returns To NI
The Open golf competition is to return to Northern Ireland in 2019, it has been confirmed. The Royal Portrush Golf Club is to host the sport's oldest competiton for the first time since it was last hosted at the venue in 1951.
21 June 2013
Man Rescued From Sea On Antrim Coast
Larne lifeboat rescued an unconscious man from the sea near Larne promenade on Thursday night. The lifeboat was called at around 22:40 following reports of a man lying face down in the water. He was found about 150 metres from the promenade.
Man Rescued From Sea On Antrim Coast
Larne lifeboat rescued an unconscious man from the sea near Larne promenade on Thursday night. The lifeboat was called at around 22:40 following reports of a man lying face down in the water. He was found about 150 metres from the promenade.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
