River Shannon search continues

 

Over 55 volunteers from across the Midlands combed the river Shannon below Athlone in seven boats on Sunday last as part of an ongoing search for a person who was last seen entering the water near the Strand almost a week ago.

Among those taking part in the comprehensive search, which is being co-ordinated by the Midland Regional Search and Recovery Team, were volunteers from Athlone, Mullingar, Lough Ree and Roscommon Sub-Aqua Clubs, Shannonside Snorkellers and Longford Scuba Divers.

The search of the Shannon began just below the weir wall on Tuesday night of last week, October 15, when the Athlone Sub-Aqua SARS Unit was alerted to an emergency situation when a person was observed entering the water near the Strand at around 8pm.

The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118, was deployed to Athlone and a combined search operation, co-ordinated by MRSC Malin Head Coast Guard, got underway, involving the RNLI Lough Ree lifeboat, local Gardai and volunteers.

The regional Search and Recovery Unit, which is made up of volunteer divers from all the Midlands Sub-Aqua Clubs who work and train together across the region, joined the search on Wednesday morning last, and the combined search operation has continued throughout the week.

To date, the volunteers have comprehensively searched the main channel of the river Shannon for approximately 3km below the weir wall, but without success.

However, the search operation will continue over the coming days, weather permitting.