Local fishermen Patrick Oliver and his son Morgan have saved a man who got into difficulty while swimming in Salthill this morning.
The Olivers were fishing off Salthill at the time and spotted the man taking refuge on Palmer’s Rock about 200 metres from the shore at around 10.30am.
The two men, who hailed as heroes after saving the lives of two cousins in August, took the man on board their fishing boat before taking him back to Galway Docks.
The swimmer was taken into the Lifeboat station where he received treatment for symptoms of hypothermia until an ambulance arrived.
Salthill was busy with swimmers and prom walkers this morning and a member of the public raised the alarm.
The Irish Coastguard sought the assistance of Galway Lifeboat who launched from Galway Docks.
Two members of the lifeboat shore crew made their way to the promenade to assist in the rescue.
Deputy Launch Authority Seán Óg Leydon says many people who have taken up sea swimming this year during the Covid lockdown may not realise the dangers of winter swimming.
“The sea is a great resource for us but we have to respect it and our limits. Luckily this swimmer made his way to a place he could rest and wait for assistance.”
