Young man (20s) airlifted to hospital after being struck by golf ball

A young man has been airlifted to hospital after being struck by a golf ball in a freak accident at Greencastle Golf Club in Donegal, Donegal Live has reported.

The incident happened on Sunday June 1 evening shortly after 4pm, when ambulances rushed to the scene, while the Coast Guard Rescue 118 Helicopter was dispatched from its base in Sligo.

Members of Greencastle Coast Guard also assisted paramedics at the course, which was busier than usual during its annual Open Week.

The local man, who’s aged in his early 20s, had been playing a round of golf when the incident occurred. He was airlifted to Letterkenny University Hospital and is since understood to have made a steady recovery.

A spokesperson from the Irish Coast Guard service at Malin Head explained how they received an emergency call from the ambulance service on Sunday evening, June 1, and a decision was taken to immediately send a helicopter.

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The rescue chopper took approximately 40 minutes to arrive at Greencastle Golf Links and the man was airlifted to Letterkenny Hospital, arriving there about 10 to 15 minutes later.

A spokesperson for the Coast Guard said they were happy to assist, and they said the early signs were good that the stricken man would recover from his injuries.

They said it was a very breezy day on Sunday too, and that could have been a contributing factor in the freak accident.

It is thought that the incident is one of the first of its type ever responded to by the Irish Coast Guard.

Gardai said there was no criminality involved.