‘Frostbit Boy’ Ruairí McSorley was rescued off Kerry Coast after being missing for 12 hours. After his clothes and shoes were discovered, an 8-hour rescue ensued.
On Sunday night, ‘Frostbit Boy’ Ruairí McSorley was rescued off Kerry Coast after being missing for 12 hours.
He was first reported missing after a walker stumbled upon his clothes and shoes close to Inch beach that morning.
McSorley in peril – missing near Inch beach
The Fenit RNLI were dispatched and discovered the viral star over 8 hours later. He was found around 4km (2.5 miles) from the shore and surrounded by dolphins.
McSorley, from Co. Derry, was on the beach near Inch and went into the water in an attempt to reach Fenit lighthouse. The Irish star soon came into trouble and began to worry for his safety.
Dolphin companions – “an experience”
During the ordeal, McSorley was not alone.
He reported, “I saw these black tails in the water, and I wasn’t sure were they dolphins or sharks.
“I just thought to myself, maybe it wouldn’t have been the worst idea to have googled this before I jumped in, but they were just dolphins.”
He continued, insisting that, “They were just swimming around me. If anything, they may have helped me. It was definitely an experience.”
‘Frostbit Boy’ discovery – rescued off Kerry Coast
Following the discovery of the 24-year-old’s clothes, the volunteer lifeboat crew from Fenit RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) were tasked with searching the immediate area and the bay towards Tralee.
After searching for eight hours, the crew spotted a pod of dolphins near Castlegregory beach. They were amazed to discover that amongst them was the Co. Derry star.
McSorley praised the work of the charity, stating that, “They’re very professional and very slick. They’re incredible people, I have to say. They aren’t like doctors or paramedics – paid professionals. They’re volunteers.
“They’re definitely a great group of people, there’s no doubt.”
Viral star in recovery – lucky to feel “100pc”
After being rescued off the Kerry Coast, ‘Frostbit Boy’ is now in recovery and is doing well. When rescued, due to his prolonged exposure to the water, he was dangerously hypothermic.
The incredible rescue charity saved his life, with the team getting him to University Hospital Kerry.
“The only thing was my kidneys needed to readjust, so there has been no serious harm,” McSorley recalled.
“It was only a matter of going into the hospital to heat up a bit. Other than that, I was fine.”
Luckily, Ruairí has no long-term damage, and is “100pc” other than “a bit of pain at the back of my knee.”
‘Frostbit Boy’ after the ordeal – bold as ever
Like most of us, it seems that McSorley was only worried about one thing following the ordeal:
“Apparently, the first thing I said to the rescuers was, ‘I’ll not have to pay for this, will I?’” he joked.
In true ‘Frostbit Boy’ fashion, he boldly faced the question enquiring if he was afraid during the 12-hour ordeal.
“Was I frightened? Fear is all in the mind,” he said.
The 24-year-old went viral back in 2015 following an news interview with UTV.
He famously uttered the line “Oh god, you wouldn’t be long gettin’ frostbit” in response to the cold weather at the time. The video gained 3.5 million views in three days.
