The National Ambulance Service has today recognised the bravery of a ten-year-old Donegal who raised the alarm when his father fell off a cliff last November.
Owen Cunningham, from Kilcar, raised the alarm after his father Seamus sustained injuries when he fell off the cliff on 16th November 2021, while working on farm fencing.
Realising the danger his father was in and not having a mobile phone with him, Owen ran home and raised the alarm before cycling back to his injured father and waiting for help to arrive.
Seamus was treated for his injuries by ambulance staff, including a paramedic and advanced paramedic from Killybegs Ambulance Station.
He was subsequently airlifted from the scene by the Coast Guard R118 helicopter.
Those who attended the incident were impressed with Owen’s calm and brave response and wanted to acknowledge this with a certificate of bravery, which was presented to him today at Kilcar National School.
Robert Morton, Director of the National Ambulance Service, said local crews were incredibly impressed by Owen’s calm approach throughout the incident.
Praising his son’s bravery, Owen’s father, Seamus, said:he was very proud of Owen.
He added the outcome could have been much worse.
‘He is a very brave boy. It took a lot of guts for him to do what he did. He stayed with me the whole time,’ the father said.
