BATTLING against 70 m.p.h. winds, an Air Corps helicopter broke two of its three rescue "hi lines" yesterday when it took an injured crewman off a British registered Spanish fishing vessel some 95 miles west of Mayo.
The Dauphin helicopter had only 15 minutes of fuel to spare when it finally landed back at Finner Camp in Co Donegal last night. Weather conditions were "the worst I've ever winched in", the pilot, Capt Sean Murphy, said after the successful, but hazardous, medical evacuation.
The injured man was on the Benchorirn, which was fishing 95 miles west of Clare Island. Airman Jim O'Neill landed on deck, but the first hi line linking the helicopter to the vessel disconnected and snapped. A second hi line was lowered and was being used to raise some baggage when it also broke. "We only had one left, and we still had our air man and survivor down below," Capt Murphy said. "Fortunately, on the third attempt, we got them on board. Conditions were ... yes ... pretty horrible."
The Spanish crewman was semi conscious, and was taken to Sligo airport where he was transferred by road to Sligo Regional Hospital.
. Irish Sea ferry services were anticipating delays and some cancellations last night as strong to gale force winds were forecast.
