Major Incident in Dun Laoghaire??
Daragh | July 5, 200715:16
I’ve just received a text alert to let me know that emergency services are currently working on a ‘Major Incident’ in Dun Laoghaire. I’ve no details of what it is just yet, if anyone is around and about and has more info, or pictures, please send them on.
15:20
According to Reports on the incident are unclear with some suggesting a bus carrying children entered the water. Other reports say it was a yachting incident.
15:23
Keeping an eye on these webcams from Dun Laoghaire harbour but so far not a whole lot showing up on them.
15:30
Apparently a school-kids regatta has been affected by some freak weather, and up to 120 children have been blown off their boats into the water.
15:35
It would appear that the webcams have disappeared offline, probably due to the volume of people watching them.
15:38
A further update from ireland.com
According to the Department of Transport four local yacht clubs were taking part in a junior regatta involving 91 boats and 110 children when weather conditions worsened sharply at around 2.15pm leading to the overturning of a number of boats.
The children involved were aged between 10 to 15 years of age.
Lifeboats from Dun Laoighre and Howth along with a Dublin-based coastguard helicopter are involved in rescuing the children from the sea.
It is not yet clear how many of the boats overturned or whether there have been any injuries.
A Dublin Fire Brigade spokesman said numerous units have been sent to the scene, including specialist water rescue units.
15:38
According to this RTE News article, this incident actually occurred at 14:00 today, and that up to 120 children had to be rescued from the sea off Dún Laoghaire after over 90 vessels capsized. According to a spokesperson for Dun Laoghaire, all of the children were wearing life jackets and all have since been accounted for.
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I was out on the water as part of the rescue team, and didn’t realise we were dealing with a “major national emergency” until I got ashore! Sure the conditions got very strong very quickly, and it was reassuring to have the lifeboat and rescue helicopter in attendance, but the regatta’s own highly trained safety boat fleet dealt with the incident and none of the children were ever in real danger. The emergency services responce on shore however was mindblowingly out of proportion and children were being sent to hospital when all they really needed was a warm shower and dry clothes!
I left Dublin in 1968 and went to live in Sydney. I found this site last year and love it. You guys are doing a great job I would like to thank you all for your blog and photos they make me feel at home.
Thanks Derek – its nice to be appreciated