Man survives sea ordeal after life ring stolen from Dundrum

Man survives sea ordeal after life ring stolen from Dundrum

28 June 2017

VANDALS have been blamed for stealing a vital life ring that was missing from Dundrum quay when a man fell into the sea at the weekend.

The elderly man was on a small boat in the harbour just before midday when he lost his footing and fell into water in front of apartments that now line the quayside.

He was wearing a lifejacket that kept him afloat and has been credited with saving his life, but when a passerby heard his shouts for help and ran for the life ring he discovered it was missing.

Local people, a paramedic and members of Newcastle Coastguard Team managed to get the man to safety on the quayside where he was treated for the effects of sudden immersion in cold water.

Newcastle RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was also tasked to the harbour and helped the man’s crew mate secure the small boat and return to shore.

The local man who fell in the water did not require hospital treatment and was able to return home after treatment at the scene.

A spokesman for Newcastle Coastguard said the incident could have ended tragically because the life ring had been stolen.

“The boat owner was wearing a life jacket which probably saved his life,” he said. “Had he been depending on the life ring for assistance then he would have been in considerable trouble.

“The walkway along the side of the harbour is a picturesque place for people to stroll but the water is very deep and while there are railings, it is potentially a dangerous place,” added the spokesman.

“Newry, Mourne and Down Council assessed the area and decided, quite rightly, that lifesaving equipment was needed so the life rings were put in place a number of years ago. They maintain them and check them regularly so this one was obviously stolen quite recently.

“Had the person in the water been a non swimmer, or a swimmer who was suddenly affected by the cold water, then the life ring would have been the difference between life and death.

“The Coastguard would urge those who carry out such acts of vandalism that they are potentially playing with people’s lives and we would ask they leave this vital lifesaving equipment alone.

“We would also ask members of the public who notice a missing or damaged piece of lifesaving equipment to telephone the council and report it,” added the spokesman.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council did not respond when asked for a comment.