11/01/2008
Sea Rescue Bravery Recognised
A Co Armagh man has been recognised for a courageous sea rescue.
Philip McAvoy (44), from Portadown, plunged into the cold Atlantic to help rescue a drowning man.
He is said to have battled large swells and strong currents to help drag the man to safety after he fell from Creevy Pier in Donegal in August 2006.
Philip received a Royal Humane Society Award earlier this week for his actions, along with Sarah Meehan, a nurse from Ballyshannon who also helped in the rescue.
The father-of-two, a volunteer with Lough Neagh Rescue for 16 years, had spent the day at Rossnowlagh beach and was on his way to a restaurant at Creevy with his family when he noticed a commotion at the end of the pier.
"I spied a guy in the water; he was about 50 metres off the end of the pier," Philip said, who leapt into the water along with Ms Meehan to rescue the man.
"It was bad night and there was quite a swell on. We took the guy under tow but the conditions were against us," he said.
"We were in the water almost half an hour.
"We got him out and in the meantime the lifeboat in Bundoran had been called and an Irish helicopter from Sligo was tasked.
"We gave him first aid on the jetty until the ambulance arrived to take him away."
Both Mr McAvoy and Ms Meehan were presented with their awards by HM Lord Lieutenant Lord Caledon in a special ceremony at Craigavon Borough Centre.
"It was a team effort, it was Sarah and myself that did it together," Philip said.
"The two of us worked well together.
"We were both very pleased we were able to help."
Both Philip and Sarah also received a Seiko Just in Time Award at the Irish Safety National Awards Ceremony at Dublin Castle in November 2006.
(BMcC)
Philip McAvoy (44), from Portadown, plunged into the cold Atlantic to help rescue a drowning man.
He is said to have battled large swells and strong currents to help drag the man to safety after he fell from Creevy Pier in Donegal in August 2006.
Philip received a Royal Humane Society Award earlier this week for his actions, along with Sarah Meehan, a nurse from Ballyshannon who also helped in the rescue.
The father-of-two, a volunteer with Lough Neagh Rescue for 16 years, had spent the day at Rossnowlagh beach and was on his way to a restaurant at Creevy with his family when he noticed a commotion at the end of the pier.
"I spied a guy in the water; he was about 50 metres off the end of the pier," Philip said, who leapt into the water along with Ms Meehan to rescue the man.
"It was bad night and there was quite a swell on. We took the guy under tow but the conditions were against us," he said.
"We were in the water almost half an hour.
"We got him out and in the meantime the lifeboat in Bundoran had been called and an Irish helicopter from Sligo was tasked.
"We gave him first aid on the jetty until the ambulance arrived to take him away."
Both Mr McAvoy and Ms Meehan were presented with their awards by HM Lord Lieutenant Lord Caledon in a special ceremony at Craigavon Borough Centre.
"It was a team effort, it was Sarah and myself that did it together," Philip said.
"The two of us worked well together.
"We were both very pleased we were able to help."
Both Philip and Sarah also received a Seiko Just in Time Award at the Irish Safety National Awards Ceremony at Dublin Castle in November 2006.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 May 2019
Body Found In Missing Person Search
The search for a "high-risk missing person" in north Belfast has sadly ended with the discovery of a body. Volunteers from the Community Rescue Service (CRS) were deployed to the area on Tuesday morning, 28 May, to assist in the search for a person who had been missing from their home for some time.
Body Found In Missing Person Search
The search for a "high-risk missing person" in north Belfast has sadly ended with the discovery of a body. Volunteers from the Community Rescue Service (CRS) were deployed to the area on Tuesday morning, 28 May, to assist in the search for a person who had been missing from their home for some time.
10 April 2015
Pensioner Seriously Injured In Armagh Collision
An 86-year-old man is in a serious condition in hospital after being hit by a car in County Armagh on Friday morning. The crash, which involved a Vauxhall Astra, occurred in Gaol Square in the city at around 10.15am. Inspector Philip Shepherd said: "We are keen to speak with witnesses to the collision. Investigators can be contacted on 101.
Pensioner Seriously Injured In Armagh Collision
An 86-year-old man is in a serious condition in hospital after being hit by a car in County Armagh on Friday morning. The crash, which involved a Vauxhall Astra, occurred in Gaol Square in the city at around 10.15am. Inspector Philip Shepherd said: "We are keen to speak with witnesses to the collision. Investigators can be contacted on 101.
28 November 2011
Shipwrecked Sailors Search Moves To Shallows
The search for five missing Russian sailors is continuing after finding limited traces of the ship and crew and is now moving to a 'low water' search. The men were onboard the Swanland, a cargo ship that suffered 'catastrophic failure' and sank in gale force conditions in the Irish Sea on Sunday morning.
Shipwrecked Sailors Search Moves To Shallows
The search for five missing Russian sailors is continuing after finding limited traces of the ship and crew and is now moving to a 'low water' search. The men were onboard the Swanland, a cargo ship that suffered 'catastrophic failure' and sank in gale force conditions in the Irish Sea on Sunday morning.
30 November 2023
NIFRS Announces Appointment Of New Chief
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Board has named Aidan Jennings as their new Chief Fire & Rescue Officer. Mr Jennings has over 28 years of experience within the Fire & Rescue Service, most recently as Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer and Director of Operational Delivery. He will take up his position on 1 December 2023.
NIFRS Announces Appointment Of New Chief
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Board has named Aidan Jennings as their new Chief Fire & Rescue Officer. Mr Jennings has over 28 years of experience within the Fire & Rescue Service, most recently as Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer and Director of Operational Delivery. He will take up his position on 1 December 2023.
02 November 2023
NIFRS Receives 384 Emergency Calls In 48 Hours
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) have received 384 emergency calls, with 162 of these calls being flood related incidents over the last two days. Between 6.00pm on 30 October until 1.
NIFRS Receives 384 Emergency Calls In 48 Hours
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) have received 384 emergency calls, with 162 of these calls being flood related incidents over the last two days. Between 6.00pm on 30 October until 1.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.