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| River Foyle: 26 rescued after canoes capsize | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Twenty-six people have been treated for mild hypothermia after two canoes capsized on the River Foyle on Saturday afternoon. | |
| It happened on the river between Magheramason in County Tyrone and Carrigans in County Donegal. | It happened on the river between Magheramason in County Tyrone and Carrigans in County Donegal. |
| The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, the PSNI and the Irish coastguard were among those involved in the rescue. | The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, the PSNI and the Irish coastguard were among those involved in the rescue. |
| Six people were airlifted to Londonderry's Altnagelvin Hospital and were treated for mild hypothermia. | Six people were airlifted to Londonderry's Altnagelvin Hospital and were treated for mild hypothermia. |
| Another 12 were taken by ambulance and the rest were treated at the scene. | Another 12 were taken by ambulance and the rest were treated at the scene. |
| Two canoes were taking part in a "married versus singles" race when one of them capsized at about 14:00 BST on Saturday during a fundraising event for the YMCA. | Two canoes were taking part in a "married versus singles" race when one of them capsized at about 14:00 BST on Saturday during a fundraising event for the YMCA. |
| It is understood there was a heavy swell in windy conditions and both canoes had begun to take in water. | It is understood there was a heavy swell in windy conditions and both canoes had begun to take in water. |
| William Lamrock from the YMCA said all 26 people ended up, some for about 20 minutes. All were wearing life jackets. | |
| He said one of the boats was able to help the other after it overturned and everyone had reached the shore by the time emergency services arrived. | He said one of the boats was able to help the other after it overturned and everyone had reached the shore by the time emergency services arrived. |
| The second boat capsized close to the shore. | |
| "We're very, very thankful that this didn't end up in a horrific incident," he said. | "We're very, very thankful that this didn't end up in a horrific incident," he said. |
| "Thankfully everyone knew what they were doing and thankfully the people with the canoes gave good leadership and we got ashore." | "Thankfully everyone knew what they were doing and thankfully the people with the canoes gave good leadership and we got ashore." |
| The rescue operation, which was declared a major incident, also involved the Coleraine Coastguard Rescue Team, Foyle Search and Rescue and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. | The rescue operation, which was declared a major incident, also involved the Coleraine Coastguard Rescue Team, Foyle Search and Rescue and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. |
| John McPoland, from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, said: "All services sprung into action very quickly and thankfully everybody was taken from the water. | John McPoland, from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, said: "All services sprung into action very quickly and thankfully everybody was taken from the water. |
| "What we've found today is that our capacity to respond to such an incident was severely tested for all emergency services and it's a tribute to all the services involved that they were able to pull together so quickly and ensure there was no tragedies involved in today's incident." | "What we've found today is that our capacity to respond to such an incident was severely tested for all emergency services and it's a tribute to all the services involved that they were able to pull together so quickly and ensure there was no tragedies involved in today's incident." |
| SDLP Foyle assembly member Mark H Durkan tweeted: "Just been at scene of major incident response at River Foyle, think everyone out of water ok. Well done emergency teams!" | SDLP Foyle assembly member Mark H Durkan tweeted: "Just been at scene of major incident response at River Foyle, think everyone out of water ok. Well done emergency teams!" |
| In a further statement he said: "It has been a cold day and the water in the river would have been freezing. | In a further statement he said: "It has been a cold day and the water in the river would have been freezing. |
| "Coupled with the strong current and high tide it is extremely fortunate that we did not witness a tragedy here today. | "Coupled with the strong current and high tide it is extremely fortunate that we did not witness a tragedy here today. |
| "I must commend the swift and brave actions of Foyle Search and Rescue, the Irish Coastguard and all the emergency services whose efficiency and professionalism certainly saved lives." | "I must commend the swift and brave actions of Foyle Search and Rescue, the Irish Coastguard and all the emergency services whose efficiency and professionalism certainly saved lives." |