A surfer was airlifted from County Clare after an accident near Ballard Bay on January 11, 2026.

A surfer was airlifted to University Hospital Galway on January 11, 2026, after sustaining injuries near Ballard Bay, County Clare, following a surfing accident. A bystander reported seeing the surfer on the rocks in distress around 11:30 a.m., prompting a coordinated response from the Irish Coast Guard, National Ambulance Service, gardaí, and the Shannon-based rescue helicopter Rescue 115. Despite challenging conditions, a winchman was lowered to the shoreline, assessed the injured surfer, and winched them aboard for transport. The incident marks the third similar event in the area within recent months.