Dramatic Dinghy Rescue Near Isle of Lismore
Four people were rushed to hospital after their dinghy capsized in chilly waters off Argyll and Bute. The Oban RNLI was alerted just before 7:30pm on Saturday when a passing yacht spotted the overturned boat and those struggling in the water near the Isle of Lismore.
Quick-Thinking Yacht Crew Join Rescue
The yacht crew didn’t hang about. They launched their own inflatable craft and pulled one person from Loch Linnhe. Three others were clinging to nearby rocks. The workboat Lady Heather also pitched in to help rescue the stranded group.
Lifeboat and Helicopter Join the Fray
Not long after, the lifeboat Mora Edith MacDonald arrived on scene to back up the rescue effort. The Rescue 199 helicopter from Prestwick swooped in, lowering a paramedic to check on the casualties. After confirming they were fit to travel, all four were ferried back to Oban by lifeboat.
Hospital Care and Gratitude
Onshore, the Scottish Ambulance Service took over and rushed the survivors to Lorne and Islands Hospital for further treatment. Oban RNLI coxswain David Isaac thanked everyone who played a part in the swift rescue – from yacht crews and Coastguard teams to the ambulance service and helicopter crew.
“We are so grateful. Thanks to everyone’s quick action, we’re here today,” one survivor told Oban RNLI’s Facebook page. They also stressed the importance of wearing life jackets and shared vital lessons learned from the ordeal.
