French tourists rescued from Causeway

A French tourist was plucked to safety after becoming trapped on rocks at the Giant’s Causeway by a rising tide after darkness fell on Tuesday evening.
.Rescue 177 lands at the Causeway Centre. inbm35-15.Rescue 177 lands at the Causeway Centre. inbm35-15
.Rescue 177 lands at the Causeway Centre. inbm35-15

The French tourists were visiting the Causeway when one man got cut off by the rising tide.

He made contact with the emergency services from the scene. Portrush All Weather Lifeboat and Inshore Lifeboat, Coleraine Coastguard, and Ballycastle Coastguard were all tasked to the scene. The operation was co ordinated by Belfast Coastguard operations room who tasked a Royal Navy Seaking Search and Rescue Helicopter from HMS Gannet in Prestwick, Scotland, to assist in the rescue.

The casualty was quickly identifed by ground crews from HM Coastguard and SAR Rescue 177 Helicopter was able to winch down a crew member and airlift the man to safety.

.A French tourist was rescued after becoming trapped on Rocks at the Giant's Causeway by a rising tide after darkness fell on Tuesday evening. PICTURE BY KEVIN MCAULEY.A French tourist was rescued after becoming trapped on Rocks at the Giant's Causeway by a rising tide after darkness fell on Tuesday evening. PICTURE BY KEVIN MCAULEY
.A French tourist was rescued after becoming trapped on Rocks at the Giant's Causeway by a rising tide after darkness fell on Tuesday evening. PICTURE BY KEVIN MCAULEY

He was taken by helicopter to a nearby field at the Giant’s Causeway Visitors centre where he was reunited with his friend.

The helicopter was on its way back to Prestwick when it was tasked again to a vulnerable male in extreme difficulty in the Larne Harbour complex, the SAR Helicopter diverted to this call which was also attended by Police 44 PSNI Helicopter, Larne and Portmuck Coastguard.

This came on the back of one of the busiest days for search and rescue teams from HM Coastguard with Ballycastle dealing with two call outs and Coleraine Coastguard dealing with four call outs.

The coastguard would remind anyone who sees anyone in difficulty to dial 999 and ask for Coastguard. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY/MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA.

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