Lifejacket saves angler who fell into water in Co Cork

An angler who slipped into the sea in Dursey Sound, Co Cork, owes his life to his personal flotation device (PFD), according to the Kerry-based Derrynane Inshore Rescue unit.

The alarm was raised on Sunday by the man’s daughter after he fell into the sea, and emergency services were alerted.

Derrynane Inshore Rescue estimates he was about 40 minutes in the water before its team reached the area, some 9.5 miles from its station, and recovered him. His PFD had helped to keep him afloat.

The man’s condition was then assessed by paramedics on the Irish Coast Guard Shannon-based helicopter, Rescue 115.

He was flown him to Cork University Hospital.

Derrynane Inshore Rescue secretary Dave O’Mahony said the successful outcome highlighted the value of safety equipment.

“That was a very inexpensive lifejacket,” Mr O’Mahony said.