Further report from rescue yesterday.

Howth CG were tasked at 15.16 today to a 999 report of a man stuck on the cliffs near the Baily lighthouse. The teams made their way to the area not knowing where the casualty was located. Two volunteers made their way down by foot to Whitewater Brook beach to locate the casualty. On searching further they located him on the very north end of the beach in a small inlet which could not be seen from the top. He was about 10mts up the cliff and was not reachable from below. A full scale cliff top rescue then swung into action. A rescue climber was first put down to secure the casualty and then both were to be hauled to the top. Climber no 1 located and safely secured the casualty but due to the location and the fact he had to transverse the cliff he was not happy he was in a position to be hauled, as for an ideal haul it should be vertical and made from directly above the scene. Climber no 2 was dropped down to the casualty from directly above and he took over the rescue from no 1. Both climber no 2 and casualty were then hauled to safety by the cliff top team. No 1 lowered to the bottom and returned by foot. The casualty was not injured so no further medical help was needed.

The casualty and a friend were walking the beach at Whitewater Brook and decided to try to ascend the cliff. Unfortunately one of them got into a very precarious position 10mts up the cliff and was unable to extricate himself. The alarm was raised by the friend who managed to ascend by a different route.

Howth Coast Guard returned to station at 18.30 and chalked it up as one life saved today.

Position of rescue

Posted by Area Officer on Friday, November 3rd, 2006 at 12:50 am.