By Dionne Meehan
THE Killybegs Coast Guard was tasked on Saturday night after three people and a dog were left stranded on the rocks at Maghera Strand.
The team were tasked at 7:15pm by Malin Head Coast Guard after the group got into difficulty while walking from An Port when high tides cut the group off.
Speaking to the Donegal News about the rescue, Killybegs Coast Guard Officer in Charge, Shane McCrudden said the group had a torch with them that he seen flashing from the shore.
“We flashed them back to let them know we saw them and I was then able to make communication with Arranmore Lifeboat.
“The larger Lifeboat couldn’t get in close to the shoreline so they deployed a Y-Boat, which is a smaller craft.
“They sent two members in and took out one casualty and a dog first.
“They accessed them medically and there was no attention needed.
“They then went back in for the other two casualties.
“They accessed them and there was no medical attention needed either,” he said.
Following this, the Arranmore Lifeboat made the decision to go by Portnoo, which was the next available Port. “We rendezvoused with them down at the pier,” Shane said.
When they reached the pier, Shane helped tie up the boat before helping the casualties back to their car.
“We returned to base then.
“The casualties did the right job in the sense that they knew they probably would need assistance so instead of waiting longer they made the call straight away.
“A great call by the persons to call for help in a very timely manner with daylight fading fast,” he said.
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