Four Lives Saved In A Near Dundrum Tragedy

Alliance calls for warning signs on Dundrum Inn Bay NEWCASTLE Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke is calling on Down District Council to erect warning signs on the dangers of walking along Dundrum Inner bay and Keel Point following the rescue of teenagers on Saturday 9th July. He said, “The recent rescue of four teenagers who were trapped in fast flowing water in Dundrum Inner Bay was a very serious incident that could have lead to fatalities. “Only for the quick thinking of Keith and Libby Campbell and the South Down Coastguard team who raced to the Ardliea Road and rescued the teenagers, we could have been dealing with a very sad situation. This could easily have been an operation fro the recovery of bodies. [caption id="attachment_21369" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has called for improved water safety signage around the shore area in Dundrum. "][/caption] “I would like to pay tribute to all persons concerned in the rescue operation of the four teenagers. “I have discussed with this matter with the Director of Environmental Health at Down District Council who has responsibility for beaches and provide warning signs. “Dundrum Inn Bay has fast flowing water when the tide is coming in as well as mud flats. This is a dangerous combination. People can become embedded in the mud or even swept away in the current. “I have therefore requested Down District Council to erect signs from Keel Point to the Gaelic playing fields and at the entry points to Dundrum Inner Bay warning of the dangers to walking on the tidal mud area.” Sinn Fein Welcome Decision To Keep Bangor Coastguard Station Open As the row over the threat to the Bangor Coastguard station now seems to have been resolved, it will continue to stay open and full manned full-time. Sinn Féin MLA for South Down Willie Clarke has welcomed this vital development of the NI Coastguard service. Speaking on the news today (Friday 15^th July) Mr Willie Clarke said, “The guarantee that the [caption id="attachment_15078" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Sinn Féin Councillor Willie Clarke MLA has welcomed the retention of the NI Coastguard Service Station in Bangor. "][/caption] Belfast coastguard station will continue to provide a 24-hour service will be welcomed by communities right along the coast, and indeed by many others who have been saved by this service, in the knowledge that such a vital station will continue to save lives around the clock as in Dundrum. “Any changes to the operational hours or the full closure of the station would have undoubtedly cost lives. Today’s announcement will see local knowledge and skills continuing to play a key role in search and rescue and maritime safety along these shores.’’ “I would also take this opportunity to pay tribute to those who work in extremely dangerous conditions to ensure the safety of others. As we move forward with this station we must not forget their contribution. Their response in the Dundrum crisis helped save four lives and without this local knowledge their service is just that less effective.” Coastguard Responds Quickly To Dundrum Emergency In a statement from the Bangor Coastguard Station, a spokesperson said, “At 6.00 pm  on Saturday 9th July Belfast Coastguard received a 999 call from one of a party of four teenagers who were cut off by the tide and were up to their shoulders in water close to Ardilea, while walking from Ballykinler to Dundrum. “Belfast Coastguard immediately tasked Southdown Coastguard Rescue Team and requested the launch of the Newcastle RNLI Inshore Lifeboat. Northern Ireland Ambulance Service also responded to the incident. “Whilst search and rescue units were proceeding to the incident, a gentleman who has formally served as a volunteer Coastguard and lives nearby assisted in the rescue. He managed to get his dinghy into the water and get to the teenagers who were showing signs of hypothermia and were complaining of the cold. “After recovering all four teenagers with his dinghy, he made shore to be met by members of Southdown Coastguard Rescue Team and NI Ambulance Service paramedics. The four were transported to hospital by two ambulances for further assessment. Gary Young, Watch Manager of Belfast Coastguard said,  “These teenagers are extremely lucky to have been rescued this evening. I would like to pay tribute to the quick thinking of a former Coastguard whose actions certainly made for a happy ending to this potentially life-threatening incident. Southdown CRT also showed their professionalism throughout this incident which was co-ordinated by MRCC Belfast. “We would like to remind anyone visiting the coast to take great care near water. Do not put yourselves at risk and if you find yourselves in trouble, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”]]>