Training is underway in Athlone for the Gardai and Fire Brigade crews to assist people who have got into difficulty in the river Shannon.
Athlone River Awareness was set up by local business people two years ago, to raise awareness of water safety in the urban area, to better inform people of the steps they should take if they encounter someone in the water.
Two large secure 'life saving yellow boxes', one on each side of the river, at The Docks and at The Strand have been put in place and gardai have joined in training with local volunteers to use equipment safely and effectively.
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Aengus O' Rourke is Chairperson of the group, he describes the range of equipment in the boxes:
