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Emergency services in busy Achill schedule

THE Achill Island unit of the Irish Coastguard came to the rescue of a holidaymaker who fell from a horse at Keel sandybanks yesterday.

Due to the suspected serious nature of the injuries the Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter, R118, was dispatched from its base in Sligo. 

The Achill unit members assisted the National Ambulance Service (NAS) crew in packaging the casualty for onward air removal. The team then prepared and secured a landing site for the helicopter. 

The casualty was removed to hospital. 

The unit has thanked the members of the public who waited with the casualty until the arrival of the emergency services.

Members of the Achill unit were also called upon to assist the same NAS crew when they were tasked to held a person who suffered a suspected stroke. 

The team assisted packaging the casualty and preparing and securing the GAA pitch in Achill Sound for MEDEVAC 112 HEMS helicopter. 

A statement issued by the unit said: “In total rescue helicopters attended Achill on three separate occasions yesterday.

“This goes to highlight the importance of keeping the yellow boxes clear both at the front and rear of our station.â€