Two men have died following an incident on the River Shannon in Limerick City this evening. It’s understood the men were carrying out pointing work on the outside of Thomond Bridge when a cable attached to a cranes cage on which the men were standing on snapped.
The cage crashed into the river, trapping both men under the water. A third man managed to free himself from the cage and swim to safety. The Irish Coast Guard, Limerick Marine Search and Rescue Service, Limerick City Fire Service and the National Ambulance Service were called to the incident.
A Swift Water Rescue team from Limerick Fire Service and divers from the Limerick Marine Search & Rescue Service removed both men from the cage and handed over to awaiting ambulance paramedics.
Rescuers worked tirelessly to resuscitate the men at the scene and later again at University Hospital Limerick, sadly however, both men lost their battle for life and were pronounced dead at UHL before 5pm.
It is understood that the three men were wearing life jackets and fall arresting safety harnesses. These are generally used in line rescues or by anyone working from dangerous heights. Gardai and teh Health & Safety Authority are investigation the incident.
Ar dheis De go raibh siad.
