R118 and and lifeboats from Donegal and Scotland assist fisherman who took ill

The scene of a river incident in Limerick city has been handed over to Limerick Marine Search and Rescue following an extensive search this Wednesday

placeholder image — The scene of a river incident in Limerick city has been handed over to Limerick Marine Search and Rescue following an extensive search this Wednesday

The man was airlifted from a trawler 40nm off Malin Head and given emergency treatment on board the R118

A fisherman who took ill on board a trawler around 40 nautical miles off the Donegal coast has been brought by helicopter to Letterkenny University Hospital.

The Rescue 118 Coast Guard helicopter was tasked on Wednesday morning to assist the fisherman. Also taksed were Lough Swilly RNLI and the RNLI Islay Lifeboat.

Weather conditions were poor at the time.

A spokesperson outlined what happened.

"Rescue 118 routed high level over the bad weather through Donegal before decending over the sea to rendezvous with the fishing trawler," said the spokesperson.

"We lowered our winchman and winched the casualty to the aircraft. The patient was given further pre-hospital care when flying low level to Letterkenny hospital to awaiting ambulance."

The Irish Coast Guard spokesperson added: "We hope the fisherman gets well soon!"