"He was a hero and his actions helped save lives. Mr O'Callaghan's actions were incredibly brave on the day and, with his other family members, had helped save six lives. It was a small mercy that Mr O'Callaghan's actions had helped avert an even greater tragedy on the day."
"It all happened very fast. I saw (my friend) gesturing for me to come to the left. I tried, but failed. I knew we were in trouble. I was swimming, getting nowhere, and could not find my footing anymore. It was hard to hear with the noise from the wind and water."
Stephen O'Callaghan, aged 55, died on August 23, 2024, while attempting to rescue two women and four children who became trapped in a rip current at Inch Strand near Whitegate in Cork. O'Callaghan and his brother Keith, along with Keith's children, responded to the group's distress. O'Callaghan successfully saved one child while his nephew Eoghan rescued another. However, O'Callaghan was swept away by the rip current before reaching safety. Cork South Coroner Frank O'Connell commended O'Callaghan's bravery, noting his actions helped save six lives and prevented greater tragedy. The cause of death was acute respiratory failure due to drowning, with a verdict of accidental death recorded. One rescued mother expressed lasting gratitude for his heroism.
Read at Irish Independent
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