Achill lifeboat aid medical evacuation of Inishturk woman

A woman was airlifted from Inishturk in a medical evacuation involving the Irish Coast Guard and members of the Achill Island RNLI lifeboat.

The incident took place on Friday morning, July 14 when Achill Island RNLI responded to a request to assist a woman requiring medical evacuation from Inishturk.The request came from the Irish Coast Guard, who had also requested the assistance of Sligo based rescue helicopter, R118. 

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched shortly after 7.30am under the command of Seán Curtain, Relief Coxswain, with six additional crew on board. Sea conditions were moderate at the time with a gentle to moderate breeze. There was some cloud but visibility was good, and the passage took the all-weather lifeboat, ‘Sam and Ada Moody’ south-west of Clare Island, arriving at Inishturk Island shortly before 8.30am.

On arrival at Inishturk, the lifeboat was met by the casualty’s nephew, who transported four of the crew to the casualty’s house on the other side of the island where R118 had already landed.

The woman was assessed by the crew of the rescue helicopter and the lifeboat crew assisted with transferring the woman to the helicopter. They then secured the area for a safe take-off for the aircraft and the woman was transferred to Mayo University Hospital.

The crew returned to the lifeboat and departed Inishturk Island for Achill Island, arriving back at the station at 10.30am.

Speaking after the call out, Michael Cattigan, Achill Island RNLI Mechanic said: “This is another excellent example of inter-agency cooperation. We train regularly with R118 for various situations both at sea and on land and we were delighted to be able to offer our assistance again on this occasion for the benefit of this woman who needed help. We wish her well for a speedy recovery.”