Rescue 116 Missing

knucklehead6

One of the coast guard helicopters is missing off the west coast since about 1.00am

Wanderer78

This is very worrying

Decoda

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/search-operation-underway-for-missing-coastguard-helicopter-and-crew-781476.html

sparrowcar

Thread open already

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057717298/1/#post102910638

freshpopcorn

I read somewhere these helicopters have flotation devices. We just have to hope that it worked.

Barry Badrinath

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I read somewhere these helicopters have flotation devices. We just have to hope that it worked.

They have to have some sort of emergency support.

Hopefully they were able to use them.

Mint Sauce

Really hope this is still a rescue mission. Over 6 hours and still missing though, is quite worrying.

Gatling

Hopefully something turns up ,116 is a fairly new helicopter to the fleet

Gatling

The Coast Guard can confirm that there has been an incident involving one of our Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopters off the west coast of Ireland.

At approximately 1am contact was lost with one of our SAR Helicopters. A major sea search is ongoing off the county Mayo coast approximately six miles west of Blacksod. SAR Helicopters from Sligo and Shannon are on scene along with the Air Corps Casa. Ballyglass and Achill all weather lifeboats (ALBs) are on scene along with five local fishing vessels.

The Sligo based Coast Guard helicopter R118 completed an early morning medical evacuation (medevac) of a crewman requiring urgent medical attention from a UK registered fishing vessel approximately 150 miles west of Eagle Island in County Mayo. Owing to the distance involved safety and communication support, known as Top Cover, was provided by the second Coast Guard helicopter, the Dublin based R116.

The search operation is being coordinated by the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre in Malin Head. Both helicopters refuelled at Blacksod prior to transiting to the scene.

Ends
Press Office, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport 01 604 1090 / 01 604 1093 / 086 8915570

Further updates to follow.

Samaris

Mod: Any further squabbling on this thread will be squashed quite hard. Not the place for it.

SEPT 23 1989

No mayday call must have been fairly instant hopefully with the gear they have on them they are picked up alive

Samaris

It does seem to have been very sudden, whatever happened. But still searching after six hours in..well, I'm not that far away and conditions are clear and calm here - is a worrying sign.

Hope they're found alive. The coastguard do heroic work.

Mahony0509

One person has been found in a critical condition.

dmc17

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

1 casualty found

Have you got a link? RTE reporting 1 injured found in critical condition

https://twitter.com/rtenews/status/841557349223563264

knucklehead6

Newstalk reporting wreckage found, and will have an update from ICG after 8.00 news

whoopsadoodles

My best friend and her husband are both RNLI lifeboat volunteers. You tend to forget just how vulnerable they are and what absolute heroes they are for volunteering to put their lives at risk just to save others.

Heartbreaking stuff

Mint Sauce

Hopefully rest are found soon. These guys are absolute heros.

Canis Lupus

Fingers crossed. If anyone is prepared and trained for such situations it'll be those crewmembers.

Spudmonkey

Absolutely desperate. Hope the other three are rescued soon.

knucklehead6

The guy on Newstalk doesn't hold out much hope for the recovered casualty or for the rest of the crew at this time

JupiterKid

I just stumbled across this thread. God love them.:( Sounds like some sort of catastrophic accident. These rescuers are such heroes.

dudara

It's a brave, honourable job, and I am really hoping against hope here.

Mint Sauce

Listening to RTE1 now. Please god more news soon.

The_Valeyard

Absolutely horrible news to wake up to.

The news is not good for the survivor or those missing

Hopefully we get some good news out of this awful tragedy

These are such brave people who put their lives on the line to rescue others.

padd b1975

Best wishes to my neighbours and friends on the Achill Lifeboat and to all volunteers involved in the search.

A horrible task.

Mint Sauce

Listening to the latest updates on News talk. This is heart breaking stuff. Any aviation accident, or any incident is shocking. More so when it's so close to home and involving your own country men.

Trying to remain hopeful, but hearing their spokes person, this does not sound good. Person rescued unresponsive, and still no sign of the remaining three.

The_Kew_Tour

No Justice in the world when Heros are in danger like this. Hope they are found, although not great now

whiskeyman

We often talk about our Rugby / Soccer players etc... as heroes.

These men and women who risk their own lives for their fellow man are the true heroes in our land.

seachto7

whiskeyman wrote: »

We often talk about our Rugby / Soccer players etc... as heroes.

These men and women who risk their own lives for their fellow man are the true heroes in our land.

Now you said it.

jmayo

whiskeyman wrote: »

We often talk about our Rugby / Soccer players etc... as heroes.

These men and women who risk their own lives for their fellow man are the true heroes in our land.

Many years ago I worked for a number of years beside the base in Shannon.
I often remember the dark wet gale force windy evenings these guys would scramble in the old S61.
Those were the evenings everyone else was off home to the comfort of a nice warm fire or to the pub for a few drinks.

But these guys were going out in to the North Atlantic in atrocious conditions to put their lives on the line to rescue some poor soul whose possible only hope of life was them.

They deserve our respect, our admiration and our support not alone at a time like this, but every day in the year.

They are a small tight knit community and this will hit hard.

RobertKK

Heroes save lives and usually are ordinary people who are unknown to most people.

Hope the missing are found quickly.

Boom_Bap

RIP Captain Dara Fitzgerald. She has been named as the first casualty.

Peregrine

Ah, I recognise her from the Rescue 117 series RIP

Laois_Man

Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick in action

After Caitriona Lucas only 6 months ago, now Dara Fitzpatrick and sadly, probably also her 3 colleagues, it's not fair!! :mad:

Senna

Conditions are to get worse later on, hopefully the remain crew are found soon, if the news is bad, at least for the families.

vapor trails

Was walking into the pub in Dunshaughlin last night around 10:45pm and could hear a really loud helicopter flying westwards over the village. Can only presume it was them en route.

RIP and condolences to all.

sjb25

whiskeyman wrote: »

We often talk about our Rugby / Soccer players etc... as heroes.

These men and women who risk their own lives for their fellow man are the true heroes in our land.

Best post of the day

Noveight

Found it somewhat moving to see that local fishing boats have joined the search efforts. Hope in the face of tragedy is an amazing thing.

CaptainR

The Six One report on it was very hard to watch.

jmayo

Noveight wrote: »

Found it somewhat moving to see that local fishing boats have joined the search efforts. Hope in the face of tragedy is an amazing thing.

I still recall back in the 80s, before there was dedicated 24 hour SAR heli service and we had to rely on RAF and they had to refuel at Knock on way out west, of a major storm one night.
There was stricken trawler adrift and a lifeboat from Ballyglass I think could not make it around in the seas to help stricken trawler.
Achill's station didn't exist at the time.

A fellow skipper put to sea to go rescue the stricken trawler and this was in seas where lifeboats were having problems.
I remember sitting in bed listening to this unfold on radio, but for the life of me I can't now ever find reference to this in any internet media.
Maybe it rings a bell with someone ?

Anyway all these years later it still sticks in my mind as one of the bravest things I have come across where people actively put themselves in harms way to save a colleague.
A truly remarkable group of people.

Mint Sauce

Been awhile since I felt the tears welling up watching the News, but today's events are absolutely heartbreaking, and it's true what has been said, today truly is a dark day.

I work close to SUH (Sligo University Hospital), and would often hear the Helicopter overhead, either landing or taking off, be that from rescue missions, or transportation, and would nearly always wonder has happened, but would quickly forgot about it as I get on with my duties.

How ever today's events make you really appreciate what these Hero's do on a daily basis, and thoughts and prayers are with all involved tonight. Please god the remaining crew of Rescue 116 are found soon, and hopefully the Irish Coast Guard, their family, friends, and the local community never have to live such a day again. Their work, the volunteers, and the local communities are truly outstanding, and they all deserve our praise and thanks.

wexandproud

Noveight wrote: »

Found it somewhat moving to see that local fishing boats have joined the search efforts. Hope in the face of tragedy is an amazing thing.

it was a bit hard to watch the news this evening alright .
The fishing communities will always put in a huge effort when someone is lost , especially when its someone they would consider one of their own
I hope the families of those missing find a little comfort in the esteem , respect and appreciation that people around the country , particularly in the small fishing communities have for the coast guard

mikeym

The coastguard have my upmost respect, they fly out in horrible conditions to rescues, medivacs and other emergencies.

R.I.P Capt Dara Fitzpatrick.

AMKC

I agree with the post above about these rescue crews being the real heroes.

Very very sad what happened today.

R.I.P Captain Dara Fitzpatrick.

Strazdas

mikeym wrote: »

The coastguard have my upmost respect, they fly out in horrible conditions to rescues, medivacs and other emergencies.

R.I.P Capt Dara Fitzpatrick.

A brave and thankless task. The crew members themselves know more than anyone the risks they are taking every time they go on a rescue mission, but they are still prepared to do it as they are dedicated to their job.

I assume there must have been a catastrophic engine failure for such a tragedy to occur ie. no chance for them to radio for help and give their precise location.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I have just heard that one of the missing crew is somebody I know well and meet often. In total shock here....

arybvtcw0eolkf

Kaleb Broad Droplet wrote: »

I have just heard that one of the missing crew is somebody I know well and meet often. In total shock here....

I wish there was something I could say to comfort you, some pearls of wisdom to ease the pain. But words fail me.

With over 30 years military experience I've served both at home and oversea's when comrades have died in operations, yet like I said words fail me.

I take comfort in knowing that their families knew and accepted the sacrifices made, I've spoken to the families of lost comrades and they took strength from their communities, friends and comrades of those who shared their lives & burdens with their fallen loved one. You can bet your life that your support and that of the community is not lost in the coming days, months and years for those coast guard crews, families and friends.

They'll know their sacrifice wasn't in vain or forsaken by the country.

If that comforts you, take it that its coming from my heart.

I'm in no way a religious man, but I always love John 15:13

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

I salute Rescue 116

Kaleb Broad Droplet

Kaleb Broad Droplet wrote: »

I have just heard that one of the missing crew is somebody I know well and meet often. In total shock here....

Very sorry to hear that.

This news has really upset me today. These people put their lives in danger to save others. I remember watching the Rescue 117 documentary a few years ago and was very upset to find out it was Dara Fitzpatrick that died. Thoughts are with the families and friends.

misstearheus

~ R.I.P. to the deceased. ~ Hopefully the others will be found soon.

I think it is absolutely disgusting that 1/2 Reports I came across indicated the first person found was male. Unless they had concrete clear-cut firsthand info, it SERIOUSLY isn't the time or place to be copying and pasting often mis-construed info which is rarely right anyway! In the case of Dara being the only female in-flight which she was in this case, it must have been horrific for the family to still think there was a slight shred of hope to cling onto that Dara and the others could be still found, only for those hopes to be dashed and shattered....

retro:electro

misstearheus wrote: »

~ R.I.P. to the deceased. ~ Hopefully the others will be found soon.

I think it is absolutely disgusting that 1/2 Reports I came across indicated the first person found was male. Unless they had concrete clear-cut firsthand info, it SERIOUSLY isn't the time or place to be copying and pasting often mis-construed info which is rarely right anyway! In the case of Dara being the only female in-flight which she was in this case, it must have been horrific for the family to still think there was a slight shred of hope to cling onto that Dara and the others could be still found, only for those hopes to be dashed and shattered....

It's sad but sure look I can understand how, in the rush to get the report out, they mistook her name to be that of a male. It's sad but it's not worth getting irate over, IMO. Personally I feel the media have done an amazing job in being very respectful, some reporters may actually know the victims too and it must be hard to be professional and composed yet so distraught inside; Met Eireann paid tribute to them on the weather and said they work closely with RNLI.

Mint Sauce

Holding back the tears again tonight watching SixOne. Hopefully now that they have detected the black box, it's within the wreckage, or at least close by, and that the remains of the rest of the crew can be quickly located as well.