By Lisa Ramsden
Two young brothers were saved during a dramatic rescue off Warrenpoint on Sunday. The boys, who were hypothermic, were discovered clinging to an inflatable paddleboard almost two miles from the Warrenpoint shoreline, in the busy Carlingford Lough.
They had been swept out to sea by strong offshore winds, with the alarm raised at around 4.20pm. Members of the Kilkeel Lifeboat crew plucked the pair from the water after being directed to their location by Coastguard personnel.
The siblings, adrift and clinging to the paddleboard, were pinpointed in the water thanks to the efforts of the shore-based team. Once brought ashore, they were treated for hypothermia and exposure before being taken to hospital by family members.
Kilkeel RNLI confirmed the pair were “blown out to sea by strong offshore winds.” The rescue crew — consisting of Helm Aidan Rooney, along with Gary Young, Neal Forsythe, and Mark McBride — launched the lifeboat and headed to the scene.
Conditions at the time included a fresh breeze, with 15-knot winds (approximately 17mph) blowing offshore from Warrenpoint, along with a falling tide. With the assistance of Kilkeel Coastguard’s shore team, who had eyes on the boys, the lifeboat crew were able to spot the inflatable paddleboard drifting at sea.
Upon arrival, the crew swiftly rescued the boys and brought them onboard the lifeboat. Casualty care was administered immediately, as both were described as “extremely cold.” The crew’s priority was to keep them warm during the return to Warrenpoint.
Speaking after the call-out, Kilkeel RNLI Helm Aidan Rooney said:
“We would like to wish the young casualties a speedy recovery following their ordeal yesterday. The wind and tide caused the paddleboard to drift out to sea, and when we reached them, both were really cold, so we worked to get them warm until we returned to shore.”
Rooney also issued an important safety reminder:
“We would remind anyone planning a trip or activity at sea to go prepared. Check weather and tides before venturing out, always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device, and always carry a means of communication. If you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
A spokesman for the Kilkeel Coastguard team said everyone involved in the rescue operation was relieved to learn later on Sunday night that the boys were recovering well. In a social media post, the local Coastguard representative outlined further details of the dramatic rescue.
“As we arrived on scene, we were able to get eyes on the casualties,” he explained. Shortly after spotting the boys, the team was able to direct the lifeboat to their precise location.
The RNLI volunteers then “scooped two young brothers clinging to a paddleboard out of the water,” and after receiving immediate medical attention from both the RNLI and Coastguard crews, the boys were taken to hospital by their family.
The Coastguard representative added that everyone involved was delighted to hear the “welcome news that both were recovering well.” Issuing a timely safety warning, he concluded:
“Two lives were saved today. With a flat calm day, an offshore wind and undercurrents, it is important not to underestimate the dangers of Carlingford Lough.”
