Man rushed to hospital after being bitten by shark on boat off Co Waterford coast

A MAN has been rushed to hospital after being bitten by a shark off the coast of Co Waterford. Rescue crews were alerted to the incident after a report of a shark bite on board a small fishing vessel south of Ardmore at around 4:15pm yesterday. The man suffered a leg injury after being bitten by the shark while on the boat yesterday evening. The Irish Coast Guard confirmed the incident, adding that the man was taken to Cork University Hospital, where he remains in treatment. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Ballycotton RNLI and Youghal RNLI responded to the incident and the rescue 117 helicopter was tasked to the scene. Ballycotton RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was deployed at 4:30pm yesterday in calm seas and good visibility. Arriving on scene at approximately 5:10pm, crew members launched a major rescue operation before transferring the man for emergency evacuation to Cork University Hospital. In a statement, a RNLI spokesperson said: “At 4.16pm, Ballycotton RNLI was requested to launch by Dublin Coast Guard to assist a 5-metre pleasure craft with five people on board, approximately four miles off Ram Head, Ardmore. “The call formed part of a coordinated response involving Ballycotton RNLI, Youghal RNLI and Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117. “Both lifeboats remained on standby while the casualty was winched from the vessel by Rescue 117 and transferred for emergency evacuation to Cork University Hospital. Most read in The Sun “The remaining members of the group did not require assistance, and the casualty vessel subsequently returned safely to Dungarvan. Both lifeboats were then stood down. “Ballycotton RNLI returned to harbour at approximately 6.15pm, where the lifeboat was refuelled before the volunteer crew continued with their scheduled weekly training session.” Coxswain on duty, Eolan Walsh, described the operation as a “well-coordinated multi-agency response.” Walsh also urged the public to take extra caution on the water, warning that”conditions at sea can change quickly” and safety should be a priority. Walsh added: “This was a well-coordinated multi-agency response, with Ballycotton RNLI, Youghal RNLI and Rescue 117 working together to ensure that the casualty received urgent medical assistance as quickly and safely as possible. “Our crew were pleased to be able to support the operation and remain on scene while the casualty was transferred for emergency treatment and we wish the casualty a full recovery.” “Incidents such as this are a reminder that conditions at sea can change quickly and that anyone heading offshore should make safety a priority. “Ensure your vessel is suitable for the conditions, wear a properly fitted lifejacket or personal flotation device, carry a reliable means of communication, and make sure someone ashore knows your plans. “If you get into difficulty at sea, call for help early — contacting the Coast Guard at 999 or 112 can make all the difference.” The Ballycotton RNLI crew involved in the rescue were Eolan Walsh (Coxswain), Alan Cott (Mechanic), Conor Philpott (Navigator), Eolan Breathnach, Áine Flynn, Stephen Sloane and Ronan Lynch. Comment now