Member of public helps rescue person from Ballycastle waters

Ballycastle beach, County Antrim

(Image: Anne Kelly)

A person has been rescued after getting into difficulty in the water off Ballycastle beach, County Antrim, on Tuesday afternoon.

HM Coastguard confirmed that the incident was reported shortly after midday.

“A person reported to be in difficulty in the water off Ballycastle beach at about 12.15pm on 30 September was recovered to shore by a member of the public with a lifering,” a spokesperson said.

The casualty was assisted ashore by Ballycastle and Coleraine Coastguard Rescue Teams and placed into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS).

Red Bay RNLI was also tasked to respond. The inshore lifeboat launched but was stood down shortly after, following the rescue of the individual by a member of the public.

NIAS confirmed it received a 999 call at 12.19pm reporting the incident in the Ballycastle area.

“The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 12:19 on Tuesday 30th September, following reports of an incident in the Ballycastle area,” a spokesperson said.

“NIAS dispatched 2 Emergency Ambulances to the scene. Following assessment and initial treatment at scene, one patient has been taken to the Causeway Hospital by Ambulance.”

The condition of the casualty is unknown.

Emergency services have praised the swift action of the member of the public who used a lifering to help bring the person to safety before crews arrived.