Woman and teenage girl survive being swept 17 miles out to sea while paddleboarding in Ireland and are found clinging to a lobster pot following 15-hour search

  • Sara Feeney, 23, and Ellen Glynn, 17, were found near Inisheer, Ireland, yesterday
  • Ellen's father Johnny said he did not expect to find them alive after 15 hours
  • Fisherman Patrick Oliver rescued the girls with his 18-year-old son Morgan
Two cousins were found clinging to a lobster pot 17 miles out to sea after they went missing for 15 hours while paddleboarding.
Sara Feeney, 23, and Ellen Glynn, 17, from Knocknacarra, County Galway, were found alive around midday yesterday two miles south of Inisheer after a search operation.
The pair were rescued by a fisherman about 17 miles (27km) from where they set out at Furbo beach at 9.30pm on Wednesday evening.
They were immediately taken to University Hospital Galway by helicopter but did not require medical attention.
Cousins Sara Feeney (pictured), 23, and Ellen Glynn, 17, from Knocknacarra, County Galway, were found clinging to a lobster pot in the sea after they went missing while paddleboarding for 15 hours
Cousins Sara Feeney (pictured), 23, and Ellen Glynn, 17, from Knocknacarra, County Galway, were found clinging to a lobster pot in the sea after they went missing while paddleboarding for 15 hours
Ellen's father Johnny Glynn said he did not expect the girls would be found alive after they had been missing for so long.
He told the Irish Independent: 'I'm so happy. I had given up. How could they be in the water from 9.30?
'I wasn't expecting to find them alive at this stage. We're so happy. We're forever grateful.'
Fisherman Patrick Oliver, who rescued the women, said his 18-year-old son Morgan spotted Ellen and Sara clinging to a lobster pot.
He said: 'I'd say they hung on to one another throughout the night which would be the best thing to do.'
Ellen's father Johnny Glynn (top left) said he 'wasn't expecting to find them alive at this stage'. Pictured: Ellen's father Johnny Glynn, mother Deirdre and sisters (left-to-right) Hannah, 14 Clara, nine, and Alice, 12, at Galway University Hospital
Ellen's father Johnny Glynn (top left) said he 'wasn't expecting to find them alive at this stage'. Pictured: Ellen's father Johnny Glynn, mother Deirdre and sisters (left-to-right) Hannah, 14 Clara, nine, and Alice, 12, at Galway University Hospital
He told Liveline on RTÉ Radio 1 that the girls were 'in shock' but were 'lucky' the weather was warm.
Describing the moment he spotted them with his 18-year-old son Morgan, he said: 'They were good. They were waving their paddles up in the air.
'They had us spotted, well they were waving anyway and then we came alongside. 
'They are weak and tired of course but they were sitting up and a little bit of chat out of them.
'We got them in the boat and we brought them into the island and the chopper landed there. They were fairly shook but they were thankful.' 
The pair were rescued by a fisherman about 17 miles (27km) from where they set out at Furbo beach at 9.30pm on Wednesday evening
The pair were rescued by a fisherman about 17 miles (27km) from where they set out at Furbo beach at 9.30pm on Wednesday evening
Sara's mother Helen Feeney said  they would forever be indebted to Mr Oliver and that paddleboards would 'never darken the doors of our houses again'.
She told RTÉ's Drivetime programme: 'I was just walking the dog on the beach while they went in for the paddleboard on the beautiful evening that we had.
'We had a lovely kind of chat and in good spirits and the next thing they were just going out. They seemed to be going out a bit far and I started to be kind of like that's a bit far. 
'It just went from the most serene of pictures to a little bit of anxiety and sort of then, you're telling yourself they'll be grand.'
Sara and Ellen were taken to Galway University Hospital by an Irish Coast Guard helicopter (stock image)
 Sara and Ellen were taken to Galway University Hospital by an Irish Coast Guard helicopter (stock image)
On social media, the coastguard thanked everyone who assisted.
Barry Heskin, from the RNLI, said tears were shed and his team was 'jumping around the station' when news came back that the rescue had been successful.
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton said: 'I would like to offer my sincere gratitude and thanks to all members of the Irish Coast Guard, An Garda Síochána and local volunteers who worked tirelessly overnight and this morning in the search for the two missing paddle boarders since the alarm was raised last night.
'Their quick thinking and bravery have resulted in the safe return of two young ladies to their families today. 
'Thankfully this most recent event has had a happy ending; however, it is imperative for us all to be vigilant of the sea and the elements as we enjoy our coastline during the fine weather.' 

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