A ten-year-old Donegal boy has received a special award for his bravery, after he raised the alarm when his father fell from a cliff while out farming last November.
Owen Cunningham was presented with a Certificate of Recognition by the National Ambulance Service at his school in Kilcar this morning.
Paramedic Declan Murrin said it is a special award that is only given to very brave people.
Surrounded by his school friends, teachers and family, Owen was presented with the award by Mr Murrin.
He described how Owen had remained very calm on the day and that without his brave action, there could have been a very different outcome for his father Seamus, who is still on crutches following his ordeal.
Mr Cunningham had been fencing on a cliff top at Muckross Head in southwest Donegal when he fell about six metres.
Owen ran back around 800 metres across rough terrain to raise the alarm and then cycled back and stayed with his father until the emergency services arrived.
Ciaran Duignan, pilot of the Coast Guard Rescue 118 helicopter, said that without Owen's quick response, it could have been hours before his father was found.
The crew of the Sligo-based helicopter managed, in difficult conditions, to winch Mr Cunningham on board and flew him to Sligo University Hospital.
Owen was very modest about his award today and said he did not expect to receive one and and thanked all the people involved in rescuing his father.
His thanks were echoed by Seamus who was very grateful to all the services involved. Mr Cunningham said when he told his son to go for help he did not hesitate, he just knew what he had to do and he did it.
Owen's mother Martina said they were very proud of him and how well he had coped with the situation.
She said the fact that he had now received national recognition for what he had done highlighted how important it is for young people to be aware of what to do and to act fast should an emergency arise.
Members of the emergency services involved in the rescue operation were at Owen's school today to pay tribute to him and highlight his bravery and calmness in a tough situation.
A ten-year-old Donegal boy has received a special award for his bravery after he raised the alarm when his father fell from a cliff while out farming last November. Dramatic footage from Muckross Head in Donegal shows the boy's father being rescued. | https://t.co/cPbdj2QL3g pic.twitter.com/LQs5B1v7Yd
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 2, 2022
