Belgian visitors hailed as heroes in Shannonbridge

Three Belgian visitors have been hailed heroes after rescuing boaters from the water when their cruiser ran aground near Shannonbridge last week.

Ferbane Fire Station received an unusual call out from the Coastguard to assist boaters who had got into trouble and were in the water on Thursday evening last, around 6.30pm, but on arrival, the Belgian tourists had brought the boaters safely ashore, assisted by an off-duty Garda.

An ambulance attended the scene and three male occupants of the boat were subsequently treated for hypothermia.

The incident is thought to have happened close to the harbour in the Shannonside village.  Onlookers said it was a lucky escape for the boat occupants who could have drowned but for their quick actions.

Offaly Fire and Rescue Service paid tribute to Ferbane firefighters and the Belgian men who came to the rescue of boaters on their Facebook page on July 4.