Six people taken to hospital after Wexford water rescue

Six people were rescued from the water at a south Wexford beach this evening.

It is understood that a number of beachgoers had attempted to come to the rescue of a younger swimmer who was in difficulty in the water before ending up in difficulty themselves.

There was a rapid emergency response with the Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter, Rosslare and Curracloe Coast guard Units, Rosslare Harbour Lifeboat, gardaí and the National Ambulance Service (NAS) all in attendance.

One person was airlifted from Rosslare Strand to Wexford Wanderers Rugby Club in the town before being brought the short distance to Wexford General Hospital by ambulance.

Five other people were brought to hospital by ambulance, with a garda escort.

Gardaí also temporarily blocked the busy junction outside Wexford General Hospital to ensure the ambulance could pass unimpeded.

All of those brought to hospital are currently believed to be in a stable condition.

“NAS responded to a significant incident at Rosslare this afternoon,” Operations Resource Manager with the National Ambulance Service Ger Carthy confirmed.

“They transferred five people by land ambulance and our colleagues from R117 airlifted one person to a waiting NAs vehicle at Wexford Wanderers Rugby Club for transfer to Wexford General Hospital.

“This multiple agency response again reassured the public of the capability of our emergency services in a time of grave need.”

Mr Carthy also praised the fast actions of An Garda Síochana, the Coast Guard and the general public during the course of the emergency incident.