Three rescued from the Shannon tonight
By David Raleigh
A river rescue crew are heroes after bringing three people from the bitterly cold River Shannon to safety tonight.
The three man crew with Limerick Marine Search and Rescue Service (LMSRS) brought a woman and two men to safe and dry ground shortly after 8pm.
The woman, aged in her 40s, had entered the river at Harvey's Quay. The two men jumped into the raging current to try to save her.
Limerick marine service rescuers were combing the water in their rapid response speed boat, searching for another woman who entered the river last weekend, when they came across the three casualties.
The two men and the woman were taken from the scene by ambulance and treated for the early signs of hypothermia.
The woman was said to be seriously injured.
"We were fortunate to be on the river at the right time," said a spokesman for LMSRS.
"The water is bitterly cold at the moment and there is a high tide. We were out searching for another lady when we saw the three in the water."
"There was a strong current; it's treacherous. Our lads got to them rapidly. They were all taken to hospital," the spokesman added.
