‘We managed to get them in time’: Three women in their 20s rescued from bottom of cliff in Kerry

Three women were rescued from the base of a cliff in County Kerry last night after getting into difficulty.

The women became trapped on a ledge by the incoming tide close to Coumeenole Beach on Slea Head. The alarm was raised shortly before 9pm last night. The w0men, all American students in their 20s spending a semester in Dingle, made contact with emergency services using a mobile phone. Within 20 minutes, 20 members of the Dingle Coast Guard were at the scene, reports RTÉ News. The Valentia life boat and Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 provided spotlights while an ambulance also attended the scene. The women couldn't be rescued by helicopter as there was a risk that the wind from its propellers could blow them off the ledge. Members of the Coast Guard descended the cliff and brought the women to safety one-by-one. The entire operation took just over two hours. Coast Guard member Carol Uí Loathe said the ordeal had been traumatic for the women.

"They are very, very cold. They didn’t have very warm clothing with them and they are wet. It’s a very traumatic experience for them. Thankfully we managed to get them in time."

The women were treated for hypothermia at the scene and then taken by ambulance to Kerry University Hospital.