This article is from page 6 of the 2008-09-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
, their mother paid tribute to the men who
were involved in the dramatic life- saving rescue. The drama occurred shortly before 8pm last Thursday, when the girls were caught in rip currents while they splashed around in the water. The girls’ mother, who lives locally but did not wish to be named, said she looked on in horror as the girls were dragged out to sea.
A man in his 20s who had been surfing paddled out to rescue the girls, while two others also helped out, as they were brought safely to shore.
“The waves took the little one’s legs away. My 10-year-old then went to help her. I dived in to get them but
I couldn’t get them. I ran back and screamed for help. People came run- ning from everywhere to help,” said Meloy Dam peLOlNetorm
“My youngest daughter shouted, ‘Mammy, I’m drowning. My 10- year-old went to help her,’ she re- called. “It all happened in about 10 minutes. It was that quick. It was just one of life’s freaks. It happened so quickly it was terrifying,” she added.
“My little one said, ‘Mummy, I thought I was going to die’,” recalled iW elom palelaales
The two girls were not injured but suffered shock from the ordeal and were seen by a doctor at Shannon-
doc, aS a precautionary measure. Their mother said those involved in the rescue were fantastic.
‘They were heroes. They were calm and collected; completely profession- al. I fell to pieces. The two lads took charge and the other guy was great as well. I will be eternally grateful to them. What mother wouldn’t?” she added.
The two girls are strong swimmers and were wearing wetsuits, which stood to them in the face of the dif- ficult conditions at sea.
“It was a lovely evening. they want- ed to go to the beach. They have done it a million times,” she added.