Andrew Carey
TWO men are feared dead after the suspended safety platform they were working in fell from a crane off Thomond Bridge and in to the River Shannon this Saturday afternon.
The cagedsafety platform was being used for the last week to lower men on to the outside of the bridge to carry out essential maintenance work on one of Limerick’s oldest bridges.
However, at around 4pm this Saturday tragedy struck as the cable holding the cage in which the men were working snapped, plunging the cage with the men into the river.
All three men in the cage at the time were wearing life jackets, but they were also harnessesed and tethered to the cage with safety lines, it is understood.
One man managed to free his harness and swim free down river, but the other two men were trapped when the cage became submerged under the fast flowing water.
Gardai, emergency paramedics and three units from Limerick City Fire and Rescue attended the scene when the alarm was raised around 4pm.
Three specially trained SRTs (Swift Water Rescue Technicians) were deployed to the bridge as part of the rescue and freed the men from their harnesses.
Members of the Limerick Marine Search and Rescue attended the emergency and assisted in bringing the casualties to the slipway at Clancy Strand where medical assistance was given by emergency paramedics.
All three men were brought to the University Hospital Limerick but it is understood that two of the men were submerged under the water for at least 10 minutes without breathing assistance.
Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter 115 was also deployed to the scene but was stood down once the men were freed and brought to hospital.
Thomond Bridge remains closed off while a number of investigations are underway.
The HSA are to conduct an immediate investigation into the accident.
