Freak wave claims life of experienced angler

A celebratory day out on a new boat turned to tragedy on Lough Corrib on Bank Holiday Monday when a 53-year old fishing enthusiast lost his life after the craft was hit by a large wave.

Michael Ruane, from Devon Park, Salthill, was on his way back to Ballindiss Pier, near Corrandulla, after a day’s angling with a friend from Oranmore when the wave struck the boat at about 4.40pm.

Mr Ruane, who was wearing a lifejacket, fell into the icy cold water and his friend immediately tried to save him. Unfortunately, Mr Ruane’s lifejacket floated free and he was in the water for almost an hour, even as fellow anglers from other boats rushed to the scene to help him.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board, under the chairmanship of Galway barrister John O’Donnell, has begun an inquiry into the death of the popular city businessman, who was the Area Manager for Pallas Foods.

“Fishing was his real passion, apart from work and especially food,” said a former colleague at Pallas Foods this week. “The real tragedy is that he only bought the boat last week and they were celebrating a day out in the new boat.”

It is understood that the lifejacket slipped off after Mr Ruane was thrown overboard. His companion and nearby anglers on other boats tried to save him, and the 47-year old Oranmore man was treated for hypothermia after they were airlifted to University Hospital Galway (UHG).

His colleague jumped into the water in an attempt to save him, after his lifejacket was seen floating on the surface minutes after Mr Ruane was knocked overboard.

The accident occurred near marker 56 on Lough Corrib. Nearby anglers raised the alarm within minutes and the Irish Coast Guard and the Irish Red Cross Corrib Mask rescue team rushed to the scene.

See full story in this week's Connacht Tribune.