Man airlifted to hospital after falling on rocks at Kerry Head

It is understood that three people had been undertaking survey work in the area when one lost his footing.

A spokesperson for the Ordnance Survey Ireland confirmed that this morning a member of its staff undertaking a costal survey, as part of a team surveying at water level at Kerry Head, Co. Kerry, was hit by a wave and knocked over on rocks.

He said that the man was working at water level when the incident occurred, and did not fall off a cliff, as was reported earlier.

“The three members of the survey team were wearing their full complement of protective equipment, including helmets, life-jackets, and harnesses, and also were anchored to the rocks with climbing ropes,” he said.

“As a precaution, the lead surveyor called on the assistance of the emergency services which airlifted the surveyor to Kerry General Hospital.

“He suffered no apparent injuries but was being detained for observation.”

The Fenit RNLI lifeboat and the Ballybunnion and Glenderry units of the Coast Guard responded to the incident.

Ropes were used to secure the men until the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 1-1-5, arrived at the scene.

The man was airlifted to Tralee General Hospital.

The operation was mounted and managed by staff at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia island in Kerry.