Members of Ballyglass RNLI responded to an emergency callout yesterday (Sunday 20 June 2010) afternoon for a man reported missing after he went swimming in a remote mountain lake outside Bangor Erris in County Mayo. The volunteer lifeboat crew were unable to take their inshore lifeboat inland to the lake as the location was extremely remote but they are trained in search and rescue techniques and were called on to assist.
The request for help was received by Ballyglass RNLI Coxswain JT Gaughan from the Gardai at 4.10pm yesterday (Sunday 20 June 2010) when the girlfriend of the man reported him missing after he had gone for a swim in Stoney Lake. The mountain lake is three miles from the nearest road and in very rough terrain. The lifeboat crew along with the Gardai, Belmullet Sub Aqua Club, the Coast Guard and members of the North Western Regional fisheries board immediately went to give assistance.
Due to the remote access of the lake the Irish Coast Guard helicopter carried the search and rescue teams as near to the location as it could safely land and a search of the lake commenced. The search was called off at 10.30pm and was resumed first thing this morning. A man was recovered at approximately 10am and pronounced dead at the scene. His body has been taken to Castlebar hospital.
Commenting on the callout Ballyglass RNLI Coxswain JT Gaughan said, "this was a very sad and difficult callout for all involved. Everyone in the community and the various search and rescue agencies worked together in extremely challenging conditions to search for the young man. Our condolences go out to his family and friends."